Cincinnati Reds hold talks with Ryan Ludwick’s agent – MLB News
While the Winter Meetings are in full swing, the Cincinnati Reds are said to be inching closer to re-sign the free-agent Ryan Ludwick. On Tuesday, December 4, Reds' general manager Walt Jocketty and Ludwick’s agent Dan Horwits held talks which appeared to have a positive outcome.
After a few weeks of declining a $5 million mutual option, the recent development in contract talks is encouraging both for the player and the Reds.
"We're waiting to see what their response is to our offer," Jocketty said. "I think we're in the ballpark."
Reds have not made any announcement yet for any big contract for the roster as far as other positions are concerned. But they do seem to have some urgency to wrap up the deal – which will not be more than two years, with Ludwick.
Reaching a deal with the player will enable them to have more space to manoeuvre if the need arises to bring in more players.
Walt Jocketty is optimistic that the agreement will likely see completion during the meetings. "I would hope so," Jocketty said. "We just need some certainty going forward with the rest of our roster."
It was only the past season that the Reds signed him for a year, worth $2.5 million as a free agent. His arrival, be that as it may, proved to be propitious as he added remarkable strength to the Reds' offence.
However, if the deal does not materialise somehow, the Reds have other alternatives as well. "We'd probably look at a couple of free agents like that, or work a little bit harder at trades," Jocketty said.
The past season was an altogether different experience for the Reds' fans. The offensive prowess demonstrated by their batters was incredible – being a good mix along with the equally solid defence; helping them to win the National League Central title.
Ludwick, it goes without saying, was instrumental. In the absence of Joey Votto, who was pulled out of line-up due to knee surgery, Ludwick provided the kind of support that the Reds needed to embolden offence and maintain the lead in the NL Central.
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