Cincinnati Reds keep the door open for the free agents – MLB News
As Wednesday brought a great deal of surprise for the Cincinnati Reds with Ryan Ludwick opting for free agency, it became evident that closer Ryan Madson also declined the mutual option worth $11 million.
Ryan Ludwick, the club’s left fielder, had a $5 million mutual option which he did not go for. Instead, he preferred to become a free agent. Until filing of the news, there were reports that the Reds had not completely ruled out any possibility of the left fielder’s return.
However, as the Reds were focused on that, closer Madson’s decision to become a free agent quickly became another subject to discuss.
It is interesting to note that Madson had signed as a free agent to a one-year contract of $6 million with the Cincinnati Reds in January this year. However, as the season drew closer, Madson became a victim of elbow injury which required Tommy John surgery.
With the surgery that was performed, Madson missed the whole season that prompted the Reds to go for other options. It was then that Jonathan Broxton was brought in to fill the vacuum.
However, as the bullpen has generally remained one of the sources of the Reds’ strength, the club does not seem inclined to miss any opportunity when it comes to retaining and acquiring experienced and effective pitchers.
Therefore, there was hardly any surprise when general manager Walt Jocketty said the club will have more discussions with Madson, free agent catcher Dioner Navarro and Jonathan Broxton, to bring them back in the team.
"We've had discussions with all of them today to see if we can work," Jocketty said. "I don't know if we'll get to sign all of them. They all expressed interest in coming back."
Representing Philadelphia Phillies in 2011, Madson had 32 saves to his credit in a season when the Phillies were at their best. Although he could not appear in any game this year, the Reds seem immensely interested to have him in the bullpen in the upcoming season.
Being in one of the competitive Divisions, the Reds will obviously try to retain the players with experience to remain atop – the way they did this season.
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