Ludwick to sign with Reds

[Who Dey Time]

Per Ken Rosenthal's twitter....no details available as of yet.


EDIT: One year deal with a mutual option for 2013.

[Who Dey Time]

Deal worth 2.5 million with an opportunity, with incentives, for it to increase to 3 million.

[dMaus14]

So that leaves what? $5-6M left to spend

[bcmachine]

A good pick up, not unexpected... still think there might be one more move in store. It's a bit risky, but would still be interested in picking up Manny Ramirez for $1 mill or so, then we'd have quite a lineup.

[texasdave]

Ludwick, who can play left and right field, gives the Reds some much-needed outfield depth. Like left fielder Chris Heisey, Ludwick is a right-handed hitter. However, Ludwick has hit right-handers (.804 OPS) better than left-handers (.751 OPS) in his nine-year career.Ludwick, 33, posted a .237/.310/.363 line with 13 homers for the Padres and Pirates in 2011. His batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage all dropped for the third consecutive season. However, UZR/150 suggests Ludwick has played average defense in the outfield corners in recent years.

Let's hope the GABP effect turns that around. That 2012 line is ugly. To be honest, I don't understand this signing at all. But I hope it works out.

[bah1286]

Not a very exciting move. Looking at his decline over the pasr four yeaars is very concernig. I hope he is just looked at as a bench player andHeisey gets his shot to play everyday.

[NCCardfan]

Luddy had that all-star season in 2008 and then started his decline. He went from STL (almost neutral, leans to pitching slightly) to SD (very pitcher friendly) to PIT (neutral with edge to hitter) and now gets to play at GABP. Hope that his decline stops for the Reds sake but only time will tell. Good luck with this one.

[izzy's dad]

I think this is a solid signing, as long as Dusty doesn't run him out there every day. Dusty does like his veterans. If used correctly a Ludwick/Heisey platoon can be pretty productive. But that is a big if.

[jmt5887]

This will put heisey in the role he's supposed to be in and is good at. Ph/outfield backup.

[Old NDN]

This signing also means that Heisey could see a lot more time in CF, especially if Stubbs can't improve his contact skills. Of course, Heisey isn't much of an improvement in that area, either.

[goreds2]

I got nothing but here are some comments around the web obtained from the Cincy Enquirer.

* Expect Ludwick to get the overwhelming majority of the playing time in left field — at least out of the gate — with Chris Heisey serving as the fourth outfielder and Drew Stubbs in center. - Matt Snyder, CBS Sports

* In addition to having a track record with Jocketty, Ludwick also has had a fan in recent years in manager Dusty Baker, who has made multiple positive comments, both publicly and privately. In 30 career games at Great American Ball Park. – Mark Sheldon, MLB.com

* I would not expect a miracle turn around as (Ludwick) still struggles to make contact (2011 was his worst in the past three seasons at 77.8%) … If nothing else, a move to the homer friendly Great American Ballpark might be enough as he still generates plenty of fly balls (47% in 2011) and suffered from the lowest home run per fly ball rate of his career (7.5%). - Jamie Lance, sports statistician


* Ludwick is good against lefties with a .751 career OPS (although that’s lower than his .804 mark against righties), and hitting lefties was one thing he did well in 2011: .264/.350/.413 isn’t a bad line at all. For a max of $3 million, this isn’t a bad bargain at all. Ludwick could easily provide a win of value if he stays healthy, and at the same time, you let Heisey mature a little bit and progress as a player. Seems solid enough to me. - Joe Lucia, The Outside Corner

[The DARK]

That's a bit disappointing. He'd likely be a good platoon partner with Heisey, but I want better out of a regular starter in left field.

[DocRed]

Not a big fan of Ludwick but at least he came cheap.

[alett12]

I honestly think corey patterson would have been a better idea on a minor league deal. He has speed, can play defense, and play all 3 outfield spots plus he would have been much cheaper. It makes me sick knowing heisey wont get his chance to start because of dusty's love of veterans, strikeout kings, and guys who can't make contact. If he starts i see the reds not making it anywhere near .500 much less the playoffs.

[RedsFan_26]

Originally Posted by alett12

I honestly think corey patterson would have been a better idea on a minor league deal. He has speed, can play defense, and play all 3 outfield spots plus he would have been much cheaper. It makes me sick knowing heisey wont get his chance to start because of dusty's love of veterans, strikeout kings, and guys who can't make contact. If he starts i see the reds not making it anywhere near .500 much less the playoffs.

It would have to come free to try the Corey Patterson experiment again..

And who said Heisey is the king of contact? His strikeout rate is very close to Stubbs, IMO Ludwick in this ballpark will give him confidence, and i strongly think he will be able to put up a 254/309/487 line, which is what Heisey put up last year.

Dont see how Ludwick splitting playing time with Heisey will hurt this team.

All it will do is spark up complaining fans about his potential