Reds Press Release: Reds acquire Choo and Donald from Indians; sign Hannahan and Ludwick
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CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty announced acquisition of leadoff hitter and CF Shin-Soo Choo, IF Jason Donald and cash from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for CF Drew Stubbs and SS Didi Gregorius. The Reds also signed free agent Jack Hannahan.
"It was very difficult giving up home-grown talent, but we think Choo can fill the missing parts in our lineup both offensively and defensively," Jocketty said. "He is an exciting player, and we expect him to set the table for Phillips, Votto, Bruce, Ludwick and the rest of our run producers."
Jocketty said of Stubbs, who helped the Reds win National League Central Division titles in 2010 and 2012, "We appreciate the contributions Drew made to our two championships. We wish him nothing but success in Cleveland."
In his 8-year Major League career, Choo has produced a .289 batting average and a .381 on-base percentage. In his career as a leadoff hitter, Choo has a .307 average and .386 on-base percentage that includes marks of .300 and .374 when leading off an innning.
Choo, 30, in 155 appearances last season for the Indians hit .283 with 43 doubles, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 88 runs scored as the club's Hank Award Award nominee. He ranked among the American League leaders in runs, hits, doubles, on-base percentage and multi-hit games, and his .327 average against righthanders was the seventh-best mark in the AL. Choo's .389 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot ranked third in the league, while his .373 overall on-base percentage ranked 10th.
Choo and Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers were the only players in the Major Leagues in 2012 with at least 40 doubles, 15 homers and 20 steals. Choo joined Roberto Alomar and Grady Sizemore as the only players in Indians history to reach each of those statistical marks in a single season.
Donald, 28, has appeared in 170 games for the Indians over the last 4 seasons. He has made 73 career appearances at SS, 68 at 2B, 16 at 3B and 7 in the outfield.
Stubbs, 28, last season for the Reds hit .213 in 136 games. Gregorius, 22, spent last season at Class AA Pensacola and Class AAA Louisville before making his Major League debut with 8 appearances for the Reds.
Jocketty also announced the signing of free agent IF Jack Hannahan to a 2-year contract through the 2014 season with a club option for 2015.
"Jack is known for being a great teammate and a clubhouse leader everywhere he's been," Jocketty said. "He's very good defensively and is capable of playing any infield position. We think he was the best utility player out there."
Hannahan, 32, in 105 appearances for the Cleveland Indians last season hit .244 with 16 doubles, 4 HR and 29 RBI despite a minor back injury that limited his playing time.
In his career, Hannahan has appeared in 451 games at 3B, 39 games at 1B, 9 games at SS and 1 game at 2B for the Indians, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners.
[[In-content Ad]]Jocketty announced the signing of free agent OF Ryan Ludwick to a 2-year contract through the 2014 season with a mutual option for 2015.
Ludwick, 34, in 125 appearances last season for the Reds hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI while making a team-high 107 starts in left field.At 2:30 p.m. he will be available on the third floor of the administration building at Great American Ball Park.
"Ryan was very important to our success last year, and we're looking to keep that momentum going into next season," Jocketty said. "He and his agents made it clear he enjoyed his time here last season and that he wanted to continue to play in Cincinnati. We know he had other offers, and we're glad we were able to reach an agreement to bring Ryan back for at least 2 more years."
In 2012, Ludwick was a finalist for the Players Choice Comeback Player of the Year Award and tied the club record for fewest errors in a season by a left fielder (1). As the Reds battled for the National League Central Division title, in his last 80 games of the season he hit .313 with 18 HR and 53 RBI, including .421 in his last 57 at bats with runners in scoring position.
While Joey Votto missed 48 games with an injury in August and September, Ludwick led the Reds in hitting (.340), home runs (12, tied with Jay Bruce) and RBI (36).
"It was very difficult giving up home-grown talent, but we think Choo can fill the missing parts in our lineup both offensively and defensively," Jocketty said. "He is an exciting player, and we expect him to set the table for Phillips, Votto, Bruce, Ludwick and the rest of our run producers."
Jocketty said of Stubbs, who helped the Reds win National League Central Division titles in 2010 and 2012, "We appreciate the contributions Drew made to our two championships. We wish him nothing but success in Cleveland."
In his 8-year Major League career, Choo has produced a .289 batting average and a .381 on-base percentage. In his career as a leadoff hitter, Choo has a .307 average and .386 on-base percentage that includes marks of .300 and .374 when leading off an innning.
Choo, 30, in 155 appearances last season for the Indians hit .283 with 43 doubles, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 88 runs scored as the club's Hank Award Award nominee. He ranked among the American League leaders in runs, hits, doubles, on-base percentage and multi-hit games, and his .327 average against righthanders was the seventh-best mark in the AL. Choo's .389 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot ranked third in the league, while his .373 overall on-base percentage ranked 10th.
Choo and Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers were the only players in the Major Leagues in 2012 with at least 40 doubles, 15 homers and 20 steals. Choo joined Roberto Alomar and Grady Sizemore as the only players in Indians history to reach each of those statistical marks in a single season.
Donald, 28, has appeared in 170 games for the Indians over the last 4 seasons. He has made 73 career appearances at SS, 68 at 2B, 16 at 3B and 7 in the outfield.
Stubbs, 28, last season for the Reds hit .213 in 136 games. Gregorius, 22, spent last season at Class AA Pensacola and Class AAA Louisville before making his Major League debut with 8 appearances for the Reds.
Jocketty also announced the signing of free agent IF Jack Hannahan to a 2-year contract through the 2014 season with a club option for 2015.
"Jack is known for being a great teammate and a clubhouse leader everywhere he's been," Jocketty said. "He's very good defensively and is capable of playing any infield position. We think he was the best utility player out there."
Hannahan, 32, in 105 appearances for the Cleveland Indians last season hit .244 with 16 doubles, 4 HR and 29 RBI despite a minor back injury that limited his playing time.
In his career, Hannahan has appeared in 451 games at 3B, 39 games at 1B, 9 games at SS and 1 game at 2B for the Indians, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners.
[[In-content Ad]]Jocketty announced the signing of free agent OF Ryan Ludwick to a 2-year contract through the 2014 season with a mutual option for 2015.
Ludwick, 34, in 125 appearances last season for the Reds hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI while making a team-high 107 starts in left field.At 2:30 p.m. he will be available on the third floor of the administration building at Great American Ball Park.
"Ryan was very important to our success last year, and we're looking to keep that momentum going into next season," Jocketty said. "He and his agents made it clear he enjoyed his time here last season and that he wanted to continue to play in Cincinnati. We know he had other offers, and we're glad we were able to reach an agreement to bring Ryan back for at least 2 more years."
In 2012, Ludwick was a finalist for the Players Choice Comeback Player of the Year Award and tied the club record for fewest errors in a season by a left fielder (1). As the Reds battled for the National League Central Division title, in his last 80 games of the season he hit .313 with 18 HR and 53 RBI, including .421 in his last 57 at bats with runners in scoring position.
While Joey Votto missed 48 games with an injury in August and September, Ludwick led the Reds in hitting (.340), home runs (12, tied with Jay Bruce) and RBI (36).