Reds re-sign Bailey, add Ludwick

Reds avoid arbitration with Bailey, Bray, Janish and sign free-agent OF.

San Diego Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick prepares to bat during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, in St. Louis. Ludwick was back in St. Louis for the first time since he was traded to San Diego on July 31 in the three-team swap that moved right-hander Jake Westbrook from Cleveland to the Cardinals.

Jeff Roberson San Diego Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick prepares to bat during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, in St. Louis. Ludwick was back in St. Louis for the first time since he was traded to San Diego on July 31 in the three-team swap that moved right-hander Jake Westbrook from Cleveland to the Cardinals.

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Mark Duncan/AP Photo This is a 2011 photo of relief pitcher Bill Bray of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.

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Staff and Wire Reports 10:21 PM Tuesday, January 17, 2012

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds made several moves with players from the 2011 roster while making a $2.5 million addition in the outfield on Tuesday.

The Reds avoided arbitration with pitchers Homer Bailey and Bill Bray and shortstop Paul Janish, who each agreed to one-year deals, and signed free-agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.

An All-Star in 2008 with St. Louis, the 33-year-old Ludwick was traded from San Diego to Pittsburgh at the July 31 deadline last season. He batted a combined .237 with 13 homers and 75 RBIs.

Ludwick, who agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, could give the Reds the right-handed bat they’ve been seeking to complement lefty sluggers Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. He figures to see playing time in left field, a spot filled mostly by Chris Heisey down the stretch last season after Cincinnati traded Jonny Gomes to Washington in late July.

It’s the latest move in a busy offseason for the aggressive Reds, who had previously been focused on pitching. Cincinnati acquired starter Mat Latos and left-handed reliever Sean Marshall in separate trades before reaching an oral agreement on an $8.5 million, one-year contract with free-agent closer Ryan Madson. Ludwick had a $6,775,000 salary last year.

Bailey ($2,425,000 in 2012) is coming off his best season, setting career highs in starts, wins, innings and strikeouts despite two stints on the disabled list because of shoulder problems in 2010. He went 9-7 with a 4.43 earned-run average in 22 starts with 106 strikeouts in 132 innings.

Bailey made $441,000 last year. He can make an additional $75,000 in performance bonuses.

Bray made a team-leading 79 appearances with a 5-3 record and 2.98 ERA last season, when he made $655,000. He got a one-year deal for $1,417,500. Janish was a starter at the outset but struggled and was demoted to Triple-A. He batted .214 in 114 games with no homers and 23 RBIs last season, when he made $437,500. He agreed to a one-year deal for $850,000.

The Reds failed to reach deals with right-handed relievers Jose Arredondo and Nick Masset, who exchanged arbitration figures with the team.

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