Ryan Ludwick has a done deal, Cardinals confirm
JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick and the club have agreed to a one-year deal and avoided tomorrow’s scheduled arbitration hearing. General manager John Mozeliak just confirmed that a deal was struck early this evening, allowing both sides to remain here in Florida and not race each other for morning flights to Arizona.
The deal is believed to be worth $3.7 million, slightly more than the midpoint of the two salaries entered into arbitration — the Cardinals’ filed a $2.8 million and Ludwick’s agents filed at $4.25 million. The contract also includes performance bonuses that start at more than 625 plate appearances, a high number that implies Ludwick would be a full-season, everyday player.
Earlier in the day Ludwick had said he was “optimistic” a deal could be done by tonight.
“It’s good for everybody involved,” said Mozeliak, who negotiated all of the Cardinals arbitration-eligible cases before needing a hearing. The club has not gone to a hearing with a player since 1999. “Getting all of our cases behind us is important and now we can get focused on baseball and what happens on the field.”
-30-
(11 votes, average: 4.91 out of 5)
Loading ...
Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
I don’t understand the negativity. What can it hurt bringing Izzy back as a NRI? If he doesn’t pitch well, he doesn’t make the team. His leadership and experience will do nothing but help Perez and Motte.
Ludwick deserves to get paid well, but I don’t see why they didn’t buy out the rest of his arbitration years (unless they feel he will regress significantly from 2008,) he isn’t getting any cheaper.
Tied with NL MVP for home runs and only 3 behind in RBIs, the Cardinals had darn well sign him.
“…and now me can get focused on baseball.” Aww crap. This club is doomed.
Ok, know I understand he is an allstar. One GREAT year and alot of possible good things to come. However with ALL of the outfielders we have, trade him or Ankiel for a second baseman. I think Atl is looking for a outfielder. No I’m not saying straight up! A deal could be done here!
Ludwick for Kelly Johnson would be one of the worst trades of all time.
I just don’t understand this love affair with Johnson.
As far as I’m concerned, trade Ludwick, Ankiel, and a minor league pitcher to the Padres to get Jake Peavy.
Then go sign Manny Ramirez… you want to see a contender spring up out of nowhere? There’s your bogey!