DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Reds trade Volquez, Alonso+ for Padres Pitcher Latos

CINCINNATI -- The Reds addressed their biggest offseason need on Saturday, acquiring right-handed starter Mat Latos from San Diego for a package of four players that includes two top prospects.

Cincinnati gave up infielder Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal -- both first-round picks -- along with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez to get the 24-year-old Latos, who initially will move into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Johnny Cueto. Latos went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA for the Padres last season, finishing among the NL leaders in ERA and strikeouts.

The trade surprised Latos, who said the Padres had indicated to him that he wouldn't be going anywhere.

"A little bit of shock and a little bit of excitement," Latos said, describing his reaction. "Shock because literally I wake up and I'm traded. Excitement because I'm excited to join a club that's got a lot of talent and a lot of potential. I'm excited for new scenery."

The Reds wanted him so badly that they were willing to give up a lot.

"To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent," general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Latos joins a rotation that includes Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. The rotation was a problem last season, with Cueto opening the season on the disabled list and Arroyo struggling with mononucleosis that he contracted during spring training.

Heading into the offseason, the Reds needed to get another top starter and a closer to replace departed Francisco Cordero. They think they've filled their first need.

"When we have Cueto and Latos at the top of our rotation, I think people are going to take notice," Jocketty said.

Latos tied a major league record by allowing two or fewer runs in 15 consecutive starts in 2010. Last season, he held right-handed batters to a .204 average and made 20 quality starts, tied for most on the Padres.

"Our young starting pitching depth allowed us to make a move like this," Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said. "We've added four credentialed young players who can help us win in the short and long term."

Alonso, the seventh overall pick in 2008, didn't have a place to play with Joey Votto a mainstay at first base. The Reds moved him to left field briefly last season, but he struggled defensively. The 24-year-old Alonso batted .330 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 47 games.

Volquez was coming off a disappointing season, going 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA. The Reds got him from Texas in the trade for Josh Hamilton in December 2007. Volquez went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 2008, when both he and Hamilton made the All-Star teams. Volquez needed reconstructive elbow surgery the following year and has never gotten back into form.

Grandal, the 12th overall pick in 2010, batted .305 with 14 homers and 68 RBIs at Class A, Double-A and Triple-A last season, making a quick rise through the farm system. He was slotted behind catcher Devin Mesoraco, a first-round pick in 2007 who made it to the majors last season and played in 18 games.

Jocketty said Reds were willing to trade Alonso and Grandal because they were stuck behind other players at their positions.

The Reds also gave up right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger, who went 2-4 with 11 saves and a 2.03 ERA last season at Double-A and Triple-A. Jocketty said Boxberger was the final piece in finishing the deal.

"It was very tough giving him up," Jocketty said. "We feel he was really starting to come into his own in the second half of the year. I don't think we would have been able to make the deal if he wasn't part of it."

Latos moves from a pitcher-friendly ballpark to Great American Ball Park, one of the most homer-friendly in the majors. He said he learned during a rough patch early last season that he couldn't let a ballpark's dimensions affect how he pitched.

"Earlier I was trying to be too fine with my pitches instead of just attacking with my strengths," Latos said. "I learned to just trust myself and go after hitters regardless who it is or where we are. Cincinnati is said to be hitters' park. Philly is the same way. That doesn't mean where you're at or the park you're in to change your pitching style."

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Well, there goes about every trade prospect the Reds had in their farm system for one guy. Latos has been solid the last two years but hes been pitching in pitcher friendly Petco Park, I just hope he doesn't like to give up 330' fly balls cause those are dingers at Great American.

Goodness, I think Latos is an ace and that's still a crazy price to pay. San Diego bent them over.

Latos was a potential ace...in Petco. Now he is going to GAB which is a launching pad.

Alonso and Grandal (a catching prospect you can hit) would have been more than enough. Then you throw in Volquez (still only 28, talented) and the other dude and the Padres fleeced them.

Ouch.

I bet Volquez puts up better numbers than Latos this year because of the Petco effect.

Volquez is a head case.

I'm not upset about the trade at all. They needed a starter badly and they don't come cheap. As usual, time will tell.

I think they gave up to much. All 3 of those prospects (Alonzo, Grandal, and Boxberger) i think have as much potential to be as good a player as what Latos does.

I don't see Latos being anything more then a solid # 2 or 3 starter who gets you 13 to 16 wins a year.

He has also had arm and makeup questions. There are very few actual #1 pitchers in the league (Verlander, Felix, CC, Lincecum, Lee, Halladay). Being a #2 or #3 starter is not a bad thing.

There's no guarantee those other guys turn out either, although trust me. I think Alonso does turn out to be a stud with that swing.

But it's worth it provided that Votto is signed for the long term in a few years and Latos lives up to his billing as the #2 starter. Cueto, Latos, and Chapman has potential to rank among the top rotations.

Would they have been better off trading Votto (who they probably won't be able to re-sign) for a haul and then plugging Alonso in at first?

I say yes.

Boxberger was a reliever this past year but the previous year, his rookie year, he began the season as a starter and did well enough to earn a mid-season promotion at which time they switched him to a relief pitcher.

As for Grandal i haven't seen him play so he may be bad defensively but everything that i have read about him says he calls a great game and really knows how to work with pitchers plus most experts think he'll be a pretty good hitter.

I agree with you, I like what they are doing. They are going for it now. With Pujols gone, Fielder probably gone and the Reds with a pretty good base of talent, this is the time for a push to win the division. What hurt us last year? Starting pitching.

There are VERY few pitchers out there available for trade, you have to give up a bunch to get one.

The Reds may have made their farm system weaker but, they made their major league club stronger. Walt isn't done yet, either.

In a small market, you have to go while you have a shot. It's reality and sometimes you have to take a risk and possibly mortgage some of the future to do so.

i like Latos alot, but that is a steep price. even if you are not completely sold on the guys the Reds gave up, I think they could have milked more out of SD or gotten a similar pitcher for less.

a guy like Hellickson from the Rays (who have pitching to spare and could have used the potential hitting from Yonder)

j/c

I like Latos i just don't see him being a stud like some others seem to think. I see him as a solid # 2 or 3 on a playoff team but to me when you give up 3 of your top 6 prospects (MLB rates Alonso as the REDS # 2 prospect, Grandal # 5, and Boxberger # 6) plus Volquez who just a couple of years ago had the type of year that your hoping Latos will give you then you gave up too much.

Latos is nice, but for what we gave up, I think we could have gotten a lot more. Who wouldn't take this trade? You're telling me the Rays wouldn't have given up Shields for them?

it's not about the guys being blocked. i agree that it was a good idea for the Reds to make a move now. the question is if the Reds got enough value for those prospects and if they could have gotten a better pitcher than Latos (or more overall)

What pitchers that are obviously better than Latos are available?

Well, you are 'guessing' at two things. One....would they have been available, Two....will they be better.

Well Loki to me an ACE is someone who routinely puts up very good numbers. Has Latos done that? No, and he pitches in a pitcher friendly park. Has he ever won 20 games? No. Has he pitched 200+ innings? No. Has he struck out more then 200 batters? No. He has only finished in the top 5 for NL "only" pitchers in 2010 for whip and batting avg, against when he finished 5th in both categories. Latos had a very average rookie year in ' 09 a solid year in '10 and a very average year in '11. So tell me how that makes him an ace?

Reds, Padres get exactly what they need
Five-player trade brings terrific talent to San Diego for Latos
By Bernie Pleskoff | MLB.com Columnist

Christmas came early for the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds. Both teams feel they improved their clubs with a stunning five-player deal that includes key starting pitchers and three outstanding, highly regarded former first-round Draft picks. Mat Latos leaves San Diego with right-hander Edinson Volquez, first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal and talented pitching prospect Brad Boxberger coming from Cincinnati in a four-for-one deal.

The Reds believe the right-handed Latos will create a formidable tandem with oft-injured pitcher Johnny Cueto at the top of the rotation. When the club's pitching suffered from injuries and poor performances last season, the playoff chances vanished like Houdini in his magic show.

Latos is a hard-throwing pitcher with a complete repertoire that includes a high-velocity fastball, an above-average curve and changeup and a decent slider. Though he is leaving pitcher-friendly Petco Park for a more hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, Latos is a savvy pitcher with the ability to miss bats and keep his team in the game. But now in Cincinnati, Latos will have to be extremely careful about pitch sequencing and location. :

The 24-year-old is a big, strong, athletic pitcher at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. Latos had bursitis in his throwing shoulder and missed the start of the 2011 season but appears to be recovered from the injury, as he threw 194 1/3 innings for the Padres this past season. If he had received more run support, Latos would have fared better than his 9-14 record. A very respectable 3.47 ERA and 1.184 WHIP tell the rest of a favorable story. Latos is indeed an ace.

Volquez may be the centerpiece of the deal for the Padres. Originally signed by the Texas Rangers out of the Dominican Republic, Volquez is a stocky 6-foot, 225-pound right-handed starter with a checkered history. He was sent to Triple-A last season to work on his pitching mechanics and clear his mind after some bad outings. When he returned, he became the type of pitcher the Reds envisioned, though a 5-7 record and 5.71 ERA do not reflect the potential and arm strength of a healthy Volquez.

Now 28, Volquez had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2010. While there is always room for concern once an elbow or shoulder has been repaired, Volquez appears to be healthy and ready for his new ballpark, where he should benefit from the vast scenery at Petco.

Perhaps the most surprising part of the trade was the inclusion of three top-notch Reds prospects. Alonso, Boxberger and Grandal each have the ability to become high-profile big league players.

All-Star Joey Votto blocked Alonso at his natural first-base position, and unless he leaves the Reds when he is eligible to be a free agent, Votto should be a power-hitting fixture in Cincinnati for years to come. While Alonso was tried as a left fielder, his lack of speed really didn't fit well in the outfield.

A Reds first-round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Alonso is a left-handed contact hitter with an ability to spray to all parts of the field. He has a sweet swing with good hitting mechanics and average to above-average patience at the plate. While he hasn't proven an ability to hit quality pitching consistently, Alonso has good bat speed and projects as a player capable of hitting the large gaps at Petco Park.

San Diego suits Alonso's swing well, as he isn't strictly a power-hitting first baseman. He uses the trunk of his body very well, and for a big man (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), he generates strength from a thick lower half. Alonso won't be a basestealing threat, but he's agile enough to be an acceptable first baseman.

The Cuban-born Grandal played baseball at the University of Miami. A first-round selection of the Reds in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Grandal has the tools to become a very high-quality hitter for average and power. Having injured his thumb in the Arizona Fall League warming up a pitcher this past November, Grandal did not get a chance to get the at-bats planned by the Reds.

Grandal was slotted behind fellow Cincinnati prospect Devin Mesoraco. As a result of Mesoraco's advanced development, the Reds gave Grandal a huge break by moving him to an organization in need of catching depth.

A switch-hitter, Grandal makes good contact and has a tendency to hit the ball to all fields. While he isn't known as a huge power hitter, that should develop as he matures physically. Only 23, Grandal has room to increase his already large 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame.

Grandal is a good defensive catcher. He moves well for a big man and he has an average, but accurate, arm. Some scouts consider him the equal to Mesoraco offensively and a bit advanced defensively. Grandal is slow afoot, and he may be a double-play candidate and a bit of a base-clogger. Overall, however, he's an outstanding prospect that will have a great chance to help the Padres.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Boxberger is an athletic power pitcher with a full repertoire -- including a fastball, slider and changeup that would allow him to start or be utilized as a relief pitcher. Because of his ability to miss bats, Boxberger fits very well at the back end of the bullpen. His role on the Padres will likely be defined in Spring Training.

Boxberger has to find a consistent release point and repeat his delivery to further refine his pitching. He has all the tools to become an elite pitcher. Like the other two prospects in the trade, Boxberger is a former first-round selection, drafted by Cincinnati in the supplemental section of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

Boxberger throws in the mid-90s with a very easy throwing motion. He exudes confidence on the mound and doesn't look as though he will get rattled under the pressure of late-game situations.

Boxberger is at his best when he lets his natural ability dictate the flow of his game. When he tries to throw too hard, he loses command and gets into hitter-friendly counts and situations. When he concentrates on keeping his pitches within his ability, he fares much better. Improvement in pitch sequencing and better pacing, both pitch-to-pitch and batter-to-batter, will come with repetition and maturation. Only 23, it is still very early in Boxberger's career.

The trade brings a very good starting pitcher and a boatload of projectable talent to the Padres. The Reds obtain an ace for a staff in need of one. Time will tell if both teams have met their respective needs, but it certainly looks that way.

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After a few days to sit on this and even though I still think the Reds could have gotten more, I'm not mad at this trade. Pitching comes at a premium. Cueto and Latos are now top of the rotation. Should Bailey get his act together like we've been waiting for about 4 years now, he is a solid #3. Arroyo has tinkered off a bit lately (he needs to quit giving up dingers) but he's very suitable towards the back of the rotation. The #5 spot now looks like its down to Leake and Chapman (though I suspect Leake has the inside track and Chapman could go to AAA as necessary as converts from reliever back to starter). That being said I was most disappointed to see Boxberger go. I thought he had future closer written all over him.

I'm not mad at the trade either, like you i hate see Boxberger go. I just think we gave up 1 prospect to many.

Cubs, Reds reportedly agree to swap lefties
Chicago said to send Marshall to Cincinnati for Wood, prospects
By Adam McCalvy and Mark Sheldon

CINCINNATI -- The Reds appeared close Wednesday to completing a trade that would land left-handed reliever Sean Marshall from the Cubs in exchange for young lefty starter Travis Wood and two Minor Leaguers.

According to ESPNChicago.com, the deal was agreed to, pending physicals. A source confirmed to MLB.com the Reds' interest in Marshall but did not expect the trade to be consummated on Wednesday.

Cincinnati currently has a vacancy for the closer's role, but the Reds are looking at Marshall as a lefty set-up man.

The trade would fill a need for both teams. Appearing to be in a go-for-it mode for the 2012 division title, the Reds are flush with starting pitchers after acquiring Mat Latos from the Padres on Saturday.

The Cubs, undergoing a remodel under new president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer, have some uncertainty at the end of their starting rotation. They would also covet Wood because he is under club control for at least five more seasons.

Compare that to Marshall, 29, who is a free agent after 2012. He has been one of baseball's most reliable relievers over the past two seasons, with a 2.45 ERA and 158 appearances in that span, second to Atlanta lefty Jonny Venters. Marshall will earn $3.1 million in 2012, the second season of a two-year deal he signed with the Cubs in January to cover his final two years of arbitration.

The Cubs would have much more control of Wood, 24, who does not project for free agency until October 2016. He was 6-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 22 games last season, 18 of them starts, and was twice demoted to the Minor Leagues.

Wood made his Major League debut at Wrigley Field on July 1, 2010, and gave up two hits over seven innings. He made one other start there in 2010 on Aug. 8, and picked up the win, giving up three earned runs on four hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Overall in 2010, Wood made a nice splash as a rookie with a 5-4 record and 3.51 ERA in 17 starts. But his down season in 2011, and the Reds willingness to deal him within the division, shows he lost some of his luster within the organization. He became more expendable after the Reds acquired Latos, giving Cincinnati a slew of starters including Latos, Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, Homer Bailey and fireballing left-hander Aroldis Chapman, whom the Reds have been planning to convert from relief.

The Cubs, meanwhile, have some lefties who can step into the setup role in James Russell and Scott Maine, plus prospect Jeff Beliveau. Beliveau was named the Cubs' Minor League pitcher of the year after he held hitters to a .192 average in 53 appearances.

They also have the makings of a solid starting rotation with right-handers Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells currently in the three spots, Carlos Zambrano still in the mix despite spending the end of last season on the suspended list and Jeff Samardzija an option to convert from relief.

But Garza has appeared in trade rumors and Zambrano is a wild card, so Epstein and Hoyer have been looking at available starters. Among the free agents they reportedly have contacted are left-handers Paul Maholm and Jeff Francis.

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First of all, the Rays weren't even willing to listen to offers regarding Hellickson. Secondly, Latos has more upside. Hellickson is, at best, a No. 2 starter while Latos is already a No. 2 with No. 1 upside.

i've read that the Rays wouldn't listen to Shields (and the Reds asked). haven't seen anything that they implored about Hellickson.

and I disagree on your Latos vs. Hellickson comparison.

either way, the Reds got better for 2012, i wish you guys the best with it.

Keith Law recently ranked his top 50 players under the age of 25. Latos was 25, and Law said, "he was hitting 95-plus again in September; if he can hold that for a full year, along with the plus slider and average change, he's a fringe No. 1 starter."

Hellikcson, on the other hand, was ranked 42, and Law said, "He doesn't have ace ceiling but could easily pitch up to the standard Tampa's defense helped him set this year."

BTW, if you like baseball and have twitter, follow Law. He is awesome.

I don't do twitter but I do read Law (both his articles and chat). agreed on his awesomeness.

Reds acquire Marshall for Wood, prospects
Cincinnati sends Sappelt, Torreyes to Chicago for lefty reliever
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- If their previous trade didn't drive the point home that the Reds are going all in for the 2012 season, Friday's completed deal certainly had to.

After being rumored for a few days, the Reds acquired lefty reliever Sean Marshall from the Cubs.

Cincinnati paid a heavy price again as it parted with young talent for the second time in a week. Going to Chicago in the deal are left-handed starting pitcher Travis Wood, young outfielder Dave Sappelt and Minor League infielder Ronald Torreyes.

"He's one of the top left-handed relievers in the game, a guy we're really impressed with and always had difficulty hitting against," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said of Marshall. "We felt he'd be a great addition to our club."

Jocketty said that talks about Marshall with the Cubs and baseball operations president Theo Epstein began during November's General Managers Meetings and continued some at the Winter Meetings this month. But they did not escalate until this week.

Last weekend, Jocketty executed a daring trade as he acquired starting pitcher Mat Latos from the Padres for three premium prospects in Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger and Yasmani Grandal along with former rotation ace Edinson Volquez.

The Reds had spent the past several seasons accumulating young talent and decided to cash some of the chips in. With the National League Central in flux as the Cardinals cope with losing Albert Pujols and the Brewers brace for losing Prince Fielder as a free agent, opportunity is knocking for Cincinnati.

"There were some areas we thought we were lacking in," Jocketty said. "The way to address it, for us, was to do it through the trade market. We're not going to go out and afford high-priced free agents. That's part of the reason we sign and develop players -- whether we use them to keep for our Major League club or use them in trades. I never like giving up young players. It's always an extremely difficult call for me to talk to these young guys when we trade them. But sometimes we feel it's necessary to do that."

Marshall, 29, has been one of baseball's best relievers, with a 2.45 ERA in 158 appearances over 2010-11, second only to Atlanta lefty Jonny Venters in that span.

Last season, while going 6-6 with a 2.26 ERA in 78 games, Marshall walked 17 and struck out 79 over 75 2/3 innings pitched. Although a native of Virginia, he had been making his home in the Chicago area.

"It came as a surprise. But I understand the moves Theo [Epstein] and the crew are making," Marshall said. "At first, it'll be a bit of an adjustment. I had my whole career here as a Cub. But I understand I've been lucky in that aspect. It's part of the game with trades and signing with different teams.

"I'm just looking forward to embracing the opportunity to go to the Reds and have a chance to really compete and win a division, and hopefully come home after the season with a World Series ring."

The Reds still have an opening for the closer's role, but Marshall will be employed for the time being as a lefty setup man along with Bill Bray and right-hander Nick Masset. Jocketty did not rule out the closer's spot for Marshall, however.

"It's a possibility," Jocketty said. "We're still talking with [free agent Francisco] Cordero. But if we don't sign or acquire a closer, we have several guys we feel can take over that role. Sean would certainly be one of them."

Marshall's ability to get hitters out from both sides of the plate makes him an attractive candidate to close. Last season, right-handers batted .249 while lefties batted .206 against him. In 2010, it was .218 for righties and .196 for lefties.

"I think some of the pitches and offspeed pitches that I throw can be effective for both," Marshall said. "I didn't have a problem last year and the previous years when [managers] Lou [Piniella] or Mike Quade put me in a situation where I'd face three righties in an inning. It didn't at all intimidate me."

Marshall recorded five saves last season when Chicago closer Carlos Marmol struggled or was unavailable.

"It was a thrill for me," Marshall said. "I enjoyed it, being able to lock the game down and seal a win for the team. I'm more than comfortable in the closer's role."

Adding more risk to the Reds' side in this deal is that Marshall can become a first-time free agent after next season. He will earn $3.1 million in 2012. Marshall underwent a physical before the trade was finalized, but there was no long-term contract extension included.

"There are no guarantees," Jocketty said. "But we're going to do our best to try and sign him. Hopefully when Sean gets to Cincinnati and sees what a great place it is to play, a great organization we have and a good ballclub, that he's going to want to stay for a while."

Following a strong rookie season in 2010, the 24-year-old Wood was a disappointment last season. He was 6-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 22 games, including 18 starts, and was twice demoted to Triple-A Louisville.

Wood became more expendable after the Latos trade and was unlikely to crack the Reds' rotation this spring.

Sappelt, who turns 25 in January, made his big league debut last season and batted .243 in 38 games with the Reds. He batted .313 in 79 games at Louisville. In 2010 at three Minor League levels, he batted a combined .342. Only 19 years old, Torreyes batted .356 with a .398 on-base percentage in 67 games last season at Class A Dayton.

"There's no doubt our bullpen just got weaker by losing Marshall -- you can't get around that," Epstein said. "But I think our starting rotation just got stronger, and our farm system just got stronger. If Wood bounces back and he pitches the way he did in 2010, you can argue that maybe we even got better [for] 2012. Certainly, the future just got a little bit brighter."

As for the Reds, Jocketty did not rule out more moves after the holidays.

"After the first of the year, we'll take a look at some things," Jocketty said. "We still want to address our bench, maybe left field and see what we can do."

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So to recap, the Reds have traded Yonder Alonso, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood, Brad Boxberger, Yasmani Grandel, Dave Sappelt, and Ronald Torreyes for Mat Latos and Sean Marshall (with Marshall being a free agent at seasons end). They just gutted their farm system.

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So to recap, the Reds have traded Yonder Alonso, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood, Brad Boxberger, Yasmani Grandel, Dave Sappelt, and Ronald Torreyes for Mat Latos and Sean Marshall (with Marshall being a free agent at seasons end). They just gutted their farm system.

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With the low success rate that we normally have with these guys. I wont miss any of them except Alonso. I like what the Reds have done so far, we're trying to win now and it's not like Marshall (I'm sure Walt has a plan to sign Marshall long term if he repeats last year) and Latos are old either. I can't argue with that.

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
8 hours, 29 minutes ago

Free-agent closer Ryan Madson and the
Cincinnati Reds reached an oral agreement on an
$8.5 million, one-year contract, according to a
person familiar with the deal.


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Love the move, 4 million cheaper than coco and hopefully the saves are less stressful.

I like it, I also like the other moves thus far.

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The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to sign free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick, confirms Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The move, which is pending a physical, was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Heyman reports the deal is for $2.5 million with $500,000 worth of incentives included.

Ludwick, 33, hit just .237/.310/.363 last season with 13 homers and 75 RBI, but the majority of his plate appearances came in Petco Park, which is death to power hitters. He hit .218 with only five home runs and a dreadful .658 OPS in 212 plate appearances at Petco. And as we all know, Great American Ball Park is a hitters' park. So this move should help him.

FREE AGENT TRACKER

Ludwick was an All-Star with St. Louis in 2008, slugging 37 homers and driving home 113 runs. Yes, he had the benefit of hitting in a lineup with Albert Pujols, but the Reds can surround him with the likes of Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips. Ludwick hasn't had another season anywhere close to being as good as 2008, but he was a productive offensive player throughout his Cardinals career. His return to the NL Central -- he was traded to the Pirates last July -- didn't go well, but it was a small sample of 113 plate appearances.

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.

Though the offseason started rather slowly, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has added Mat Latos, Sean Marshall, Ryan Madson and Ludwick to his ballclub in the past several weeks in an attempt to get the 2010 NL Central champs back into contention

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http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/34432713

That's the Reds LF for 75% of the time next right. Its good though because he was cheap, can hit righties, and after playing in the monster that is PETCO is going to get a GABP bump.


Reds are looking like Contenders next year.

I'd be shocked if Ludwick plays that much. Heisey will get more playing time than Ludwick, I bet.

They're in love with Ludwick's .276 GABP average. Now if we can just get the Reds pitching of '08 throwing to him on a regular basis we'll be ok .