Cincinnati Reds and Ryan Ludwick continue contract talks – MLB News
The deal that the Cincinnati Reds and Ryan Ludwick’s agent, Dan Horwits, is working out has assumed an intriguing shape. Free-agent hitter had signed a $2.5 million last year, later declining a $5 million mutual option by the club.
As he hit the open market, the 34-year old player’s agent is sorting out a contract with the Reds for a while now. It was before the Winter Meetings that the news regarding the talks surfaced. However, nothing has materialized yet.
The accomplished slugger Joey Votto, who happens to be a good friend of Ludwick had a talk with the Ludwick recently. But he categorically stated that the two’s conversation did not revolve around the deal.
"We never speak about baseball when we talk," Votto said during Redsfest on Friday. "He should do whatever he wants to do that's best for him and his family. I love playing with him. I learned a lot from him certainly. I have nothing but respect for him.
I'm sure he will make the right decision. I got everything I could ask for from playing beside him.”
It was in the absence of Joey Votto this past season, when he underwent knee surgery, that Ludwick provided a credible offensive support to the Reds, being equally instrumental when it came to defence. Ludwick had 80 RBIs and 26 home runs in the season,
batting .275.
The consistency that this veteran player has exhibited has won him fans and admirers. He remains a source of inspiration for the teammates as well. For Votto, Ludwick is a shining example of the type of player that the former wants to be.
"The two or three years with him were not wasted. He changed my path as a player. He was a shining example of the type of player I want to be because of how quiet he was and how consistently respected he was throughout baseball."
The Reds and Ludwick, nevertheless, are taking their time as the deal is sorted. It is to be seen how it eventually turns out. The fact remains that he can prove to be instrumental for the Reds both defensively and offensively.
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