Cincinnati Reds exercise option on Johnny Cueto; buyout two others

The Cincinnati Reds have executed the expected, picking up a $10 million 2015 club option for starting pitcher Johnny Cueto. In 2013, the 28 year old made only 11 starts due to a re-occurring injury in his back, priming him for an incredible bounce back season in 2014. He posted a 2.25 ERA over 243.2 innings, leading the National League in games started (34). Cueto lead the majors in average allowed by keeping opponents at a low .194 and tied with Washington’s Stephen Strasburg for the most strikeouts in the National League (242).

The ace has posted a sub-3.00 ERA his past four seasons  and holds a career 3.27 ERA, while going 85-57. This season he became the Reds first 20 game winner since 1988 when Danny Jackson finished 23-9. Cueto has been with Cincinnati since his major league debut in 2008 and will enter free agency in the 2015 offseason at age 29. He will complete the 2015 season as one of the most underpaid aces in the league and one question sure to rise will be if the Reds extend his contract or entertain trade offers.

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In holding onto Cueto another year, the Reds have also declined options for infielder Jack Hannahan and outfielder Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick had a $9 million option which was instead bought out for $4.5 million. Hannahan’s option would have been for $4 million, but the team will pay a $2 million buyout instead. Both players automatically become free agents.

Hannahan battled a shoulder injury and only played 109 games over his past two seasons. He batted .209 with one homer and 16 RBI’s. Surgery was performed last October and Hannahan was activated in July but only for minimal time at first base and some pinch hitting.

Ludwick also suffered a shoulder injury Opening Day of 2013, leaving him to spend most of the season on the disabled list. At age 36, Ludwick batted .244 this season with nine homers and 45 RBI’s through 112 games.

Cincinnati finished 76-86 this past season, coming in second to last in the NL Central. There are plenty more offseason moves to be made by the Reds to recover from a disappointing 2014.