Cincinnati Reds trade rumors: Ryan Ludwick available in trade talks
By Hayden Kane
When he was healthy, Ryan Ludwick was a tremendously productive player for the Cincinnati Reds. Unfortunately for both parties, he has not truly been right since 2012 and therefore has posted disappointing numbers the last couple seasons.
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Ludwick batted .275/.346/.531 in 2012 with 26 home runs and 80 driven in. He was then limited to only 38 games of action last season and has struggled to the tune of a .261/.325/.392 slash line through 77 games in 2014.
The veteran outfielder has shown glimpses of promise this season, possibly enough that the Reds might be able to convince another team that he has enough life left in his bat to be worth trading for. With that in mind, Bob Nightengale reports that the Reds are telling teams that Ludwick is available in trades:
The #Reds are telling teams LF Ryan Ludwick is available, He's earning $7.5M, w/ $9 millilon mutual option or $4.5 million buyout in 2015..
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2014
If somebody pays Ludwick $9 million to play baseball in 2015, I’ll eat my hat.
Depending on how the Reds massage a potential deal for Ludwick, they could get sneaky good value for him. Right-handed pop, as we discuss time and time again, is hard for teams to find. With uncertain markets for guys like Josh Willingham and Marlon Byrd, perhaps the Reds can swoop in with Ludwick and pull off a productive deal.
Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided’s MLB Rumors page to stay up to date with the latest action and rumblings from the baseball hot stove this trade season as Thursday’s deadline approaches.