2:21pm: The Reds have also declined Ludwick’s $9MM option, instead paying him a $4.5MM buyout, Cotillo tweets. The 36-year-old’s down 2014 season made that salary excessive, though the steep buyout tag and Cincinnati’s outfield needs made it a closer call than it might have seemed at first glance.
1:45pm: The Reds have kicked off their offseason with two unsurprising moves, deciding to exercise a $10MM club option over starter Johnny Cueto and decline a $4MM option for utilityman Jack Hannahan, according to Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com (Twitter links). Cincinnati will pay Hannahan a $2MM buyout rather than taking him back for 2015.
Both moves were widely expected. Cueto, 28, put up a Cy Young-worthy campaign (243 2/3 innings with a 2.25 ERA) and is an unquestioned bargain at that rate. The only question seems to be whether the club will take a crack at working out another extension or, if that is not an option, will listen to trade offers.
Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Hannahan did not play to expectations with the Reds and saw only 50 plate appearances last year. Across 212 trips to the plate over the previous two seasons, Hannahan slashed an anemic .209/.294/.278.
Cincinnati still has a slightly more difficult decision to make on Ryan Ludwick, whose club option — like Hannahan’s — comes with a buyout that reaches 50% of its value. In his case, the club can either pick him up at $9MM or buy him out for $4.5MM.
Ludwick’s been negative WAR for two season’s now, let him go. No point paying an extra 4.5 Million for replacement level production.
So it’s better to pay him 9 million?
Wait what?
If they “let him go,” they’re on the hook to pay him the full $9M he’s owed, instead of the 4.5m buyout
It definitely doesn’t work that way unless they pick the option up and then release him.
It’s a mutual option, which Ludwick will surely pick up
Not a mutual option
Not that’s it’s a big deal, but DD in the original post did type, no point paying ‘an’ extra……..
No if they don’t pick up his option, he becomes a free agent ant the buyout is 4.5M
Jack Hannahan’s 2M buyout is larger than any 1-year salary he ever made in the majors. I wouldn’t be shocked if this has happened before but it is definitely very rare.
Ludwick joins a growing list of once productive hitters who’s production cratered after reaching 35 in recent years. That’s why the Brewers would be foolish to pick up Ramirez’ option which would cost them an extra $10 million.
There are plenty of counter-examples though.
I’d go for it if its one season. Its hard to imagine what Melvin would do otherwise.
Cespedes for a SP trade seems like it makes a ton of sense here. Or some other LF. Reds are really hurting for competent hitting outfielders.
I have to disagree. His power is great, along with his arm strength, but the Reds don’t need more power. They need someone to get on base in front of Votto(if healthy), Bruce, Frazier, and Mesoraco. Cespedes isn’t that. Home runs are great, but they won’t cure the problems this team has.
Not if they go to AA
What a bargain for Cueto.. If he stays healthy again in 2015, he’ll be one of the best “bang for your buck” players.
That’s a big if.
He’s gone at least 156 innings every year of his career except one. And that shortened year he still managed 1.4 bWAR.
156 isn’t exactly monumental. He’s also had a half dozen or so trips to the DL for a sole shoulder. I think its a moot discussion regardless. I’d guess they won’t trade anyone and go for it next season.
The 156 was one year. Every other year was 171 or above. And he has not been on the DL with a sore shoulder “half a dozen times.” His DL trips were mostly for an oblique issue.
DL for shoulder – 09, 11, 04/13, 06/13 and DTD in 11. That doesn’t include oblique, finger, neck, elbow and forearm problems. Your point stands that he’s a bargain, but if Vegas allowed over/under bets on, lets say 160 or so, I’d take the under especially given the workload last season.
Even if ludwick and hanahan do go where will they go
Who could be some options to take Ludwick’s spot?
The Reds need guys who can get on base. They already have the guys that can drive them in. The Reds seemingly have their leadoff man. Now all we need is a 2 hole hitter that can help Hamilton put more pressure on the defense.
My original point is still the correct that they aren’t ridding themselves of Ludwick for any cheaper than $4.5M.
Your original point was they are on the hook for $9M if the Reds declined which is incorrect. Here were the 3 options:
A. Reds owe $0. Reds pick up option. Ludwick declines option.
B. Reds owe $4.5M. Reds decline option.
C. Reds owe $9M. Reds pick up option. Ludwick okays option.
I just realized I misread his post. I thought what he was saying was “let him go rather than pay the $4.5M buyout.” My bad.
I think Latos is the one to keep out of their pitching. He’s still very young (for hitting free-agency) and has a lot of upside. I still don’t think we’ve seen the best of Mat Latos. Of course, an extension might not be the most attractive thing to him at this time.
The best would have been getting rid of Jocketty.
Sorry if it was confusing. Just saw this now and didn’t clarify sooner.