Reds linked again to Ryan Ludwick, relief

[Brutus]

According to Jon Heyman's column today.

Reds and Phillies have been in talks with the Padres, with reportedly San Diego more interested in hearing out Cincinnati.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...&sct=hp_t11_a1

The Phillies and Reds are said to match best with the Padres since both those teams seek a righthanded-hitting outfielder and relief help. The Padres seem of a mind to hear what the Reds might offer since the match is probably best with them, but Cincinnati is more methodical in its dealings than Philly GM Ruben Amaro, who is in the Whitey Herzog school of direct dealing. The Cardinals, Yankees, Angels and White Sox are believed to be the other teams talking to the Padres about bullpen help. San Diego is relief central, with Heath Bell, Mike Adams and Chad Qualls. They also have outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who could help the Giants, Braves, Pirates or Indians as well as the Reds or Phillies. Reds GM Walt Jocketty has ties to Ludwick from St. Louis.

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by Brutus the Pimp

According to Jon Heyman's column today.

Reds and Phillies have been in talks with the Padres, with reportedly San Diego more interested in hearing out Cincinnati.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...&sct=hp_t11_a1

Sounds pretty promising for a change. Hope Walt doesn't feel inclined to give up way too much for these guys though, no Mesoraco Walt! And for that matter no one who can help right now or soon (like Sappelt).

[Johnny Footstool]

Ludwick's stock is very, very low right now. Of course, so is his performance, but he seems like the type who would explode after a change of scenery. The Padres would probably dump him for a no-namer.

[RedsManRick]

I don't understand the interest in Ludwick. He's a 33 year old who hasn't been good since his BABIP fueled 2008. What value does he bring to the table above and beyond what you can get from Heisey? I'd certainly prefer him to Gomes, but at what cost? If it's more than, say, Matt Maloney and lower minors relief prospect, I'm not interested.

[Always Red]

Originally Posted by Johnny Footstool

Ludwick's stock is very, very low right now. Of course, so is his performance, but he seems like the type who would explode after a change of scenery. The Padres would probably dump him for a no-namer.

I really don't want to add Ryan Ludwick to our stable of average LF'ers. I don't think he's much of an upgrade, if any, over Gomes at this point.

[Reds1]

YUK! This is no upgrade

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by Always Red

I really don't want to add Ryan Ludwick to our stable of average LF'ers. I don't think he's much of an upgrade, if any, over Gomes at this point.

At first glance, I don't blame you for that position.

But consider that Ludwick's OPS+, which is OPS adjusted for league and ballpark, is average right now. If you take him out of Petco and put him in GABP (where he's hit well in his career to the tune of .921), and out of the Padres awful lineup and in between Votto & Bruce, I really believe he would be a solid acquisition.

Ludwick would be, arguably, a smallish upgrade offensively but would be a better defensive player in left than Gomes.

I actually think Ludwick could be bought very low and be a solid addition.

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

I don't understand the interest in Ludwick. He's a 33 year old who hasn't been good since his BABIP fueled 2008. What value does he bring to the table above and beyond what you can get from Heisey? I'd certainly prefer him to Gomes, but at what cost? If it's more than, say, Matt Maloney and lower minors relief prospect, I'm not interested.

Well he has some pop and he has some experience, I believe he is a bit better hitter than Heisey at this juncture and he is a better fielder than Gomes. I wouldn't give up much for him but I would think he upgrades us a bit and for a song I'll take that, he is better suited to hit 4th for us than anyone else we have currently. I like Heisey coming off the bench right now and in the playoffs or just late in the season trying to make them we might actually have to use Heisey in CF if Stubbs is scuffling.

[LoganBuck]

Originally Posted by Brutus the Pimp

At first glance, I don't blame you for that position.

But consider that Ludwick's OPS+, which is OPS adjusted for league and ballpark, is average right now. If you take him out of Petco and put him in GABP (where he's hit well in his career to the tune of .921), and out of the Padres awful lineup and in between Votto & Bruce, I really believe he would be a solid acquisition.

Ludwick would be, arguably, a smallish upgrade offensively but would be a better defensive player in left than Gomes.

I actually think Ludwick could be bought very low and be a solid addition.

I agree, he is hitting something like .122 in July. We are talking fungo bats and dirty socks for Ludwick. He is the kind of guy that gets tossed into a deal to take a player like Adams.

[cinreds21]

I'd do DT and Maloney for Ludwick but that's it.

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by Always Red

I really don't want to add Ryan Ludwick to our stable of average LF'ers. I don't think he's much of an upgrade, if any, over Gomes at this point.

x2

Unfortunately I see Ludwick as the most likely player the Reds will acquire.

I'd much prefer Ubaldo, even with the considerably higher price tag.

[LoganBuck]

Originally Posted by Benihana

x2

Unfortunately I see Ludwick as the most likely player the Reds will acquire.

I'd much prefer Ubaldo, even with the considerably higher price tag.

On the surface I would agree with you. I think Ludwick really needs out of San Diego. Once he was traded last season the Cardinals went into a funk, and so did Ludwick. He knows the central, was a good to very good bat as recently as last July, a cheap pickup, and is right in Walt's wheelhouse. I would be onboard. Gotta roll the dice here. Especially if he is going to be acquired for peanuts.

[HokieRed]

Hate to say it, but if they acquire Ludwick I think it will be mainly to appear to be doing something. Play Chris Heisey and get it over with.

[pahster]

Originally Posted by Brutus the Pimp

At first glance, I don't blame you for that position.

But consider that Ludwick's OPS+, which is OPS adjusted for league and ballpark, is average right now. If you take him out of Petco and put him in GABP (where he's hit well in his career to the tune of .921), and out of the Padres awful lineup and in between Votto & Bruce, I really believe he would be a solid acquisition.

Ludwick would be, arguably, a smallish upgrade offensively but would be a better defensive player in left than Gomes.

I actually think Ludwick could be bought very low and be a solid addition.

OPS+ is park adjusted, though, so why would you expect it to improve once he leaves San Diego? Is it just because of "protection?" I'm not aware of any evidence that protection actually exists.

[mdccclxix]

Isn't it possible the Reds could get Ludwick in a package deal for one of their relievers as well? I'm listening if that's the case.