Ryan Ludwick declined his side of the mutual option on his contract, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). As expected, the Beverly Hills Sports Council client will become a free agent. Ludwick's contract included a $5MM mutual option with a $500K buyout.
Ludwick will pursue a multiyear deal after hitting 26 home runs and posting a .275/.346/.531 batting line in 472 plate appearances with Cincinnati this past season. The Reds need outfielders and will consider working out a new deal with Ludwick. Both sides are “very interested” in discussing another contract, Heyman reported two weeks ago.
Shane Maples
Hopefully the Reds can work out a deal with him.
dc21892
Both parties benefited from last years deal. It would be nice to see them hammer out a 2 year deal at least.
Jay King
Yes I agree I was thinking the same number of years. Heck throw in another mutual option or team option year on there at the end just for the fun of it.
I don’t know if he will continue what he did last season but if he could give us around the same numbers i’d take that right behind Votto. Unless something better comes along. For some reason it is sounding like the Reds Payroll will only rise to around 93 to 95 million. I think a good chunk of the payroll will be gone to the core players though, making it tough for a lot of improvements.
rsoxbob
Red Sox need corner OFs.
User 4245925809
He is going to want too much. Think Boston will work something out with Ross and go with Kalish in the other corner OF if Ellsbury isn’t moved, then Kalish goes to CF.
Dan Gorgone
Certainly a possibility, though he’s looking multiyear after a good season…
BOS will re-sign Cody Ross, Ellsbury is in CF, and I wonder if they’ll go with one of the kids (Kalish finally?) in LF.
Then again, if they anticipate trading Ells, Kalish could go in CF and a guy like Ludwick could fit in LF.
Steve Svendsen
LF is vacant for the current world champs. Ludwick would fit nicely in the Giants lineup next season.
Jay King
I officially Hate the Giants… Course the Reds choked so I guess I cant’ really blame the Giants sigh… I want to though.. haha.
Cory Trenkamp
C’mon Walt, pull the trigger
ctownboy
Jonny Gomes 2.0
Jay King
I really hope not… Gomes had that good season and then he was nothing much to look at statistically after that. Is there a player out there free agent or possible smart trade that you think the Reds could go for and actually have a shot at getting?