Cardinals agree to terms with Ryan Ludwick

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that outfielder Ryan Ludwick has agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the upcoming 2010 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Ryan,” said Cardinals’ Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak. “Ryan has proven to be a steady run-producer for our ballclub for the past two-plus seasons and we look forward to another strong season from him in 2010.”

Ludwick, 31, led the team’s outfielders with 22 home runs and 97 RBI in 2009 while batting .265. His 97 RBI ranked 6th among National League outfielders last season and his 210 RBI over the past two seasons (2008-09) are ranked 2nd only to the Brewers Ryan Braun (218) among N.L. outfielders during that time period.

The 6-3, 218-pound Ludwick excelled in the clutch, batting .323 (51-for-158) with runners in scoring position (T18th in N.L.) while ranking 2nd on the team to Albert Pujols (28) with his 27 two-out RBI. “Luddy” batted .304 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI against N.L. Central foes.

Ludwick, an N.L. All-Star in 2008, led the Cardinals with 9 outfield assists in 2009 and he made just one error. He earned N.L. Player of the Month honors in July after batting .340 with 6 HR’s and 28 RBI.

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