Ludwick will turn down $5M option; Reds still hope to re-sign him

Outfielder Ryan Ludwick will say 'no' to the option on his contract for 2013, but he would like to talk to Cincinnati about a multiyear deal.

Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick will turn down his $5 million mutual option for 2013, but sources say the Reds will talk about a new deal to keep him in Cincinnati after his big season in 2012.

Both sides are very interested in him staying after his terrific season. The Reds understand Ludwick will turn down the option; off the year he had, he would be interested in a multiyear deal.

The decision to rebuff the option is a no-brainer after Ludwick hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI. He also had an .877 OPS.

Ludwick's season followed a difficult last year and a half spent in San Diego and Pittisburgh, and GM Walt Jocketty's signing turned out to be one of the best made last winter.

Jocketty had Ludwick in St. Louis earlier, so he knew him well. Ludwick had a career-high 37 home runs, 113 RBI and .966 OPS for the Cardinals in 2008, his only All-Star season.