The Texas Rangers have made a nice habit in recent years of taking on low-risk fliers on guys who they can get with no risk and a very high reward at a cheap cost if things work out.
Now, they're adding a new one to the list in veteran outfielder Ryan Ludwick.
Ludwick is a couple of years removed from a productive big-league season, and a handful of years removed from a blow-up all-star season in 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The former Ranger, who made his big-league debut with them in 2002, had a huge 2008 with the Cardinals when he belted 37 home runs with 113 RBIs, and he followed that with a pretty nice 2009 before he was dealt mid-season in 2010 to the hitter's hell of San Diego.
Back in 2012, he hit 26 homers and drove in 80 with the Reds, barely played in 2013 thanks to injury and then had a pretty spare year in 2014 with the Reds. But who knows? Maybe he can find some of that 2012 production, even, and figure into the Rangers' open competition for the starting left field spot.
If Ludwick makes the Rangers' big-league roster, he'll be on a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. If not, it's bye-bye, thanks for playing.
