Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2011 > June > 08 > Entry
Ludwick could be available to the Reds
CINCINNATI — If the Cincinnati Reds are interested in upgrading left field any time soon, or even at the July 31 trade deadline, they might cast a glance westward to San Diego.
It appears the Padres are willing to trade outfielder Ryan Ludwick and would do oit straight up for outfielder Chris Heisey or take some minor-league prospects for him. Ludwick and Reds’ general manager Walt Jocketty already have a history: Jocketty signed him as a free agent for the St. Louis Cardinals in December, 2006.
Ludwick makes $6.7 million on the final year of his contract and the Reds would owe him about $#4 million if the deal is done soon.
Ludwick is 32 and is hitting .256 with eight homers and 37 RBIs, an upgrade over the .197/8/25 owned by Jonny Gomes.
Since shaving off his Mohawk hair-do, Gomes hit .381 with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs. But he is tempting fate. He visited the barber Wednesday morning and showed up at the park with the Mohawk-style back in place.
SPEAKING OF HAIR, Edinson Volquez shaved off his gerry-curled beaded dreadlocks hair-style before his start Tuesdayu night, sporting a bald look. And he brought his old hair to the clubhouse Wednesday in a bag.
As fellow pitcher Johnny Cueto looked on, still sporting his dreadlocks, somebody asked Volquez if he was going to make a wig out of his old hair or if he was going to offer it on eBay.
“Nobody would buy it,” he said.
“You’d be a surprised,” said a media member.
Cueto was asked if his dreads are coming off soon and he said, “Not yet. I’m not ready for that.”
AROLDIS CHAPMAN did not have a good outing Tuesday night for Class AA Carolina against Tennessee: Only two-thirds of an inning, three runs, a home run, a wild pitch that let in a run, a walk, 24 pitches, 12 strikes.
“He hadn’t pitched for a while (May 29 in Louisville),” said manager Dusty Baker. On Tuesday, Baker said Chapman would make two minor-league appearances, but on Wednesday morning that was revised.
“We have him down for four minor-league appearances and then it depends on how he feels and how well he does as to what happens after that. Maybe he’ll be back with us after the road trip (a week from Friday), but it’s all a guess,” said Baker.
IT APPEARS Scott Rolen had more than his self-diagnosed strep throat.
“I talked to the doctor yesterday and he said it is not strep throat as diagnosed by Scott,” said Baker. “It’s a viral infection in the throat and it takes three or four days to run its course. And it’s worse in the heat, so it will be better for Scott once we get to San Francisco (tonight). So in the cool air of San Francisco he should be OK to play Thursday.
“And Edgar Renteria (sore lower back) is better, too,” Baker added. “He hit on Tuesday, he ran and he threw and so he should be better and ready in San Francisco as well.
“And I’ll be better, too, in my own bed and with my family — because my allergies have been bothered me here, too. And I’ll get to get to go fishing Saturday afternoon after the game and that’ll make it even better.”
And a win or two might help even more.
PITCHER JARED BURTON, who has been on the DL (shoulder tightness) since spring training is about to resume activity, but he’ll do it in Arizona, “A process of starting spring training all over again,” said Baker. “He’ll report Sunday and start all over. He’ll pitch one inning in a game June 23, skip two days and pitch another inning and see if he progresses from there — just like spring training.”
FORMER REDS Minor-league pitching coach Bill Maloney, an outstanding man, didn’t have a good night this week.
Maloney is a minor-league pitching coach for Tampa Bay and is with the team’s Class AA team in Montgomery, Ala.
After a game this week, he was followed home from the ball park by two men. When he reached his apartment door, the men approached and demanded money. When he told them he didn’t have much, they gun-whippd him above the eye, opening a large gash.
He handed them his wallet and the muggers took the $20 he had and then shot him in the knee. After the men left, he dialed ‘911’ on his cell phone and told the operator, “I’ve just been mugged and shot.”
Said the operator, “Is this a life-threatening situation?”
Ah, your tax dollars at work.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment |
Tweet
Comments
By ohdave
June 10, 2011 10:30 AM | Link to this
Like the Ludwick trade if Heisey is NOT part of it. And of course none of our untouchables. I would much rather bring up Alonso, though, and dump Fred Lewis. I don’t see how that guy really helps the ball club.
By Chuck
June 9, 2011 9:48 PM | Link to this
That’s too bad about Mr. Maloney, I am from Dayton, but like in Montgomery now. There many areas you just can’t live in or you will get hurt. Sorry to her that.
By just a fan
June 9, 2011 6:21 PM | Link to this
The idea of Baker going fishing is a great one. Then stay there.
By Spark
June 9, 2011 5:26 PM | Link to this
So Hal is the Heisey thing a real rumor or just your old way of making the news rather than reporting the news?
By redsfandownunder
June 9, 2011 5:13 PM | Link to this
OK, OK, Don, DD, et al. I GIVE UP. 1) Yes the pitching staff is the biggest problem therefore we should NOT try to put the best 8 on the field. 2) Yes, the person they bring up from AAA and put in LF may struggle. This is a major risk because we could lose out on the “production” we have received from this position since July of last year?? At no point should we consider the possible upside to making a change.
By David B.
June 9, 2011 2:14 PM | Link to this
I honestly think that wouldnt be too hateful of a trade. Maybe have the Padres throw in a pitcher or something. Ludwick’s batting average is only average right now because he has to play half of his games at San Diego’s pitchers park. There he hits .218 and 4 HR’s. Away from there he hits .313 and 4 HR’s. Might as well get something that we can use and break up votto and bruce instead of heisey siting on the bench.
By DD
June 9, 2011 2:12 PM | Link to this
As much as it sucks, our best bet at this point is to sit tight with what we’ve got. Notice NO ONE is out there making acquisitions yet? There has to be a reason. Actually, there’s probably two. First, there are no standout teams at this point in the season (may not be all year). No teams have a .600 winning percentage or better. Also, 16 of the 30 clubs have a .500 winning percentage or better. Translation? A LOT of teams still have a chance to make a playoff run. Secondly, IF anyone is talking at this point (LA and Mets come to mind due to financial issues), they must be asking an arm and a leg in return for their major league talent. Don’t think Reyes could help a lot of ballclubs? I’m sure St. Louis would love to have him. Or Either or Kemp or Wright or Beltran? But, no deals. I don’t want to mortgage our bright future for a 1-year run that may or may not work out. And, it won’t work out unless our rotation continues to pitch as well as it did in the Chicago series. But, it was only the Cubs… And, NO ONE will be getting rid of major league ready pitching at this point - it’s too valuable. Finally, with regards to pulling up Alonso, Sappelt, etc. from Louisville…First off the majority of guys struggle making the move from AAA to MLB. Anyone remember a guy named Brandon Larson? Secondly, there is a business aspect no one is thinking about. We’ve had to use 21 pitchers (I think, # could be off 1 or 2) from the 40 man roster. We are using option years on guys Jocketty & Co. never intended to this year. Even had to dump Herera to make room for a different pitcher. This is going to force management’s hand down the road as we won’t be able to keep all these guys around. Now, we want to do the same thing with field players. Not a good long-term strategy.
By Jim-Dayton
June 9, 2011 12:42 PM | Link to this
Why are the Red’s considering Ludwick? A .256 bat. avg at approx. $7 mil/yr at 32 yrs.old? Seems over priced!! Why, Oh why are we wasting Heisey by sitting him on the bench? Lets put Heisey in left field for about 10 games straight and see what he can do without plutooning him all the time and wondering why a good prospect like Heisey is’nt producing. Give Heisey the same opportunity the Red’s gave Jay Bruce.
By Don
June 9, 2011 12:06 PM | Link to this
Seems to me the problem isn’t the hitting since the Reds are new the top in that department. Seems to me the problem is the starting pitching.
By Zeke
June 9, 2011 9:46 AM | Link to this
I find it interesting that lefties Votto and Bruce are destroying left handed pitching, yet we continue to play the odds when it comes to left field and who gets some burn.
By olbuzz
June 9, 2011 4:14 AM | Link to this
Heisey for Ryan Ludwick… Is that a joke. Surprised the Pads took him off the Cards. The Reds will make some moves this time. Just hope they don’t waste assets on that guy. Gomes for Ludwick to back up Heisey might be a push. Wow Hal!
By redsfandownunder
June 9, 2011 12:10 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the report BF Mary. I honestly don’t understand why they don’t want to put the best 8 on the field regardless of what the pitching staff is doing. LF has been broken since last July and there are some great options in AAA just waiting to be tried. Alonso would play better defence as well or better than Berkman and Ibanez who are both on 1st place teams.
By Mike-Cinci
June 8, 2011 10:53 PM | Link to this
Gomes, Lewis, Janish, Hermida, Frazier, Chapman, Heisey for Kemp. Do you think the Dodgers would do it? No chance. Need more talent from the Reds….Stubbs, Alonso, Mesoraco, Masset might get them talking but the Reds will need to come up with a $60 million+ multi year deal to keep Kemp. Ludwick is 33 and Tony LaRussa dumped him.
By Jim M.
June 8, 2011 10:31 PM | Link to this
another name is Josh Willingham on the A’s if they cant get Matt Kemp.. He would be better than Ludwick
By Jim M.
June 8, 2011 10:13 PM | Link to this
If Heisey is traded, the player the Reds need to try and get is Matt Kemp. even sweeten the deal to get either Kershaw or Billingsly back in return. Heisey, Wood, Alonso and Boxberger and maybe another prospect for Kemp and Kershaw/Billingsly. Then see if the Giants would trade lefty Eric Surkamp for one of our catchers and bring up Mesarosco.. the offense does need help as much as the starting pitching. Seeing todays lineup didnt get me excited. Kemp batting after Votto would put a scare into the Cardinals.. We all know they wont sit still and will do something to improve their shortcomings (they get Reyes and Heath Bell and we do nothing wont get me walking up to buy more tickets this summer!!!)If they can add 4 million for a 33 year old ex cardinal, then they need to look at Kemp!! he will help this team alot better..
By BF Mary
June 8, 2011 10:10 PM | Link to this
Sorry, rfdu. Alonso coached first base for awhile tonight. He’s in Syracuse with the Bats.
By Redfuture
June 8, 2011 9:23 PM | Link to this
I admire and have been pleasantly surprised at Walt’s reluctance to trade. I don’t blame him one, teeny, weeny bit! Your proposed Ludwick acquisition would be totally irresponsible. If you want any changes just bring up any of 7 or 8 worthy guys from AAA.
By Randy
June 8, 2011 8:26 PM | Link to this
Hal it brings a normality back to life when you are back and writing your column! Your trip to Cancun left us regular readers with a huge hole in their daily routines!!
By redsfandownunder
June 8, 2011 6:54 PM | Link to this
Alonso is not in the lineup for the Bats tonight….with any luck, he is on a plane right now to SF.
By levi
June 8, 2011 5:57 PM | Link to this
Trading Chris for that bum would make post my tickets on craigslist. Chris has tons of upside and just needs a chance.Maybe they will fall out of love with him like Dickerson. Plus the Reds are Cheap remember that Hal. That’s how we Got Erroreia.
By Bill
June 8, 2011 5:51 PM | Link to this
Ludwick on the road: .313 .358 .465 .823 That is what the Reds would get. Petco Park kills Ludwick.
By redsfandownunder
June 8, 2011 4:37 PM | Link to this
“Left field is not a problem” …”We have pleanty of Left fielders”. Well, I would have liked to see something better than the 0-4 put up today. Pitching has been a bigger issue but LF is something that they can fix but trading Heisey would be a mistake. Need to DFA Lewis and promote Alonso or Hermida.
By RC
June 8, 2011 1:42 PM | Link to this
Ludwick last year did pretty much what he’s doing this year - he hit .251 w/17 HRs. Plus he’s not a youngster - he’ll be 33 next week. I think Heisey could match or better that production, as potentially could two or three of our Louisville contingent. All of them younger and much cheaper than Ludwick. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if the Reds would make that trade, but I wouldn’t do it.
By David
June 8, 2011 1:12 PM | Link to this
Chapman’s next trip won’t be back to The Bigs, it will be here to Dayton.
By Yippee
June 8, 2011 1:05 PM | Link to this
Plopping Ludwick in GABP full time could be the offensive shot in the arm the Reds need. I really like Heisey, though, would be a shame to lose him.
By dn3524
June 8, 2011 12:43 PM | Link to this
“Jocketty signed him as a free agent for the St. Louis Cardinals in December, 2006.” Yes…technically that is the case. In reality John Mozeliak did all the behind the scenes work with Ludwick and recommended the signing. Jocketty’s minor league record in StL was atrocious and left them in shambles when he left.