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Reds To Exercise Club Option On Cueto, Buy Out Hannahan And Ludwick

By Jeff Todd | October 29, 2014 at 1:45pm CDT

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.

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Cincinnati Reds Jack Hannahan Johnny Cueto Newsstand Transactions

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31 comments
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Comments

  1. DippityDoo

    6 years ago

    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.

    Like
    Reply
    • Melvin Mendoza, Jr.

      6 years ago

      So it’s better to pay him 9 million?

      Like
      Reply
      • LayerCake

        6 years ago

        Wait what?

        Like
        Reply
        • Melvin Mendoza, Jr.

          6 years ago

          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

          Like
          Reply
          • Devern Hansack

            6 years ago

            It definitely doesn’t work that way unless they pick the option up and then release him.

            Like
            Reply
            • Melvin Mendoza, Jr.

              6 years ago

              It’s a mutual option, which Ludwick will surely pick up

              Like
              Reply
              • Ron Fulton

                6 years ago

                Not a mutual option

                Like
                Reply
          • Lefty_Orioles_Fan

            6 years ago

            Not that’s it’s a big deal, but DD in the original post did type, no point paying ‘an’ extra……..

            Like
            Reply
          • Ron Fulton

            6 years ago

            No if they don’t pick up his option, he becomes a free agent ant the buyout is 4.5M

            Like
            Reply
  2. Dave Pierce

    6 years ago

    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.

    Like
    Reply
  3. daveineg

    6 years ago

    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.

    Like
    Reply
    • Seamaholic

      6 years ago

      There are plenty of counter-examples though.

      Like
      Reply
    • oh Hal

      6 years ago

      I’d go for it if its one season. Its hard to imagine what Melvin would do otherwise.

      Like
      Reply
  4. Seamaholic

    6 years ago

    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.

    Like
    Reply
    • Dennis

      6 years ago

      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.

      Like
      Reply
    • Ron Fulton

      6 years ago

      Not if they go to AA

      Like
      Reply
  5. Metsfan27

    6 years ago

    What a bargain for Cueto.. If he stays healthy again in 2015, he’ll be one of the best “bang for your buck” players.

    Like
    Reply
    • oh Hal

      6 years ago

      That’s a big if.

      Like
      Reply
      • slasher016

        6 years ago

        He’s gone at least 156 innings every year of his career except one. And that shortened year he still managed 1.4 bWAR.

        Like
        Reply
        • oh Hal

          6 years ago

          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.

          Like
          Reply
          • slasher016

            6 years ago

            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.

            Like
            Reply
            • oh Hal

              6 years ago

              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.

              Like
              Reply
  6. Daniel Morairity

    6 years ago

    Even if ludwick and hanahan do go where will they go

    Like
    Reply
  7. 123Redsox

    6 years ago

    Who could be some options to take Ludwick’s spot?

    Like
    Reply
  8. Anthony Joseph Ziegler

    6 years ago

    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.

    Like
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