July 2012 - Cincinnati Reds Wiretap

Ryan Ludwick has declined the $5 million option in his contract for 2013.

He hit .275/.346/.531 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI in 125 games with the Reds this past season.

Some have wondered whether the Reds will consider signing Josh Hamilton as a free agent this winter.

Hamilton struggled mightily down the stretch, he will be expensive and the belief is that the Rangers might known something others don't about the slugger and that is why they aren't eager to sign him long-term.

Those are just some of the reasons why Cincinnati is highly unlikely to bring him back.

Ryan Ludwick will turn down his $5 million mutual option with the Reds for 2013, making him a free agent.

Despite the decision, Cincinnati wants to engage in talks with Ludwick about a new contract. He reportedly wants a long-term deal.

He hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI and also had an .877 OPS.

The Reds have agreed to a two-year contract extension with Dusty Baker.

Baker missed Cincinnati's division title celebration this year because of a heart issue and a mini-stroke.

The Reds have won the National League Central title in two of the last three years under Baker, losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Dusty Baker and Walt Jocketty met on Friday morning to discuss the manager's contract situation.

Nothing was settled, but the two sides will meet again next week.

"There was no breakdown," Jocketty said. "You just don't work out a contract in a few hours. These things take time."

Jocketty wouldn't say if a contract was offered. A report suggested that Baker was offered a short-term deal to return to the Reds.

Walt Jocketty planned to meet with Dusty Baker on Friday morning.

According to a report, Jocketty planned to offer Baker a short-term contract with remain with the Cincinnati Reds.

Scott Rolen will be a free agent this winter and the 37-year-old is reportedly leaning towards retirement.

He enjoyed a surge this summer, but struggled in September and October. He has been plagued with shoulder issues late in his career, leading to stints on the disabled list.

Buster Posey hit the third grand slam in Giants' postseason history Thursday, and San Francisco pulled off an unprecedented revival, by winning three straight on the road, moving into the NL championship series with a 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Angel Pagan hit the first leadoff homer in Giants postseason history, and Gregor Blanco and Pablo Sandoval connected later for a 8-3 win over the Reds on Wednesday that evened their NL Division Series at 2-2, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Giants beat the Reds 2-1 in the 10th inning on Tuesday night to fight off elimination.

San Francisco finished the game with three hits, but they had just one through the first nine innings.

They are just the third team to win a playoff game with a single hit through nine innings.

The 1974 Oakland Athletics and 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers both won in 9 innings despite only having 1 hit.