The Cincinnati Reds have signed 33-year old righty swinging outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a 1-year deal, with a mutual option for 2013. Ludwick played in 139 games for the Padres & Pirates last year and he was 116 for 490 (.237 avg, .674 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 13 homers, 75 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 790 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 689 of 2,641 (.261 avg, .787 OPS) with 366 runs scored, 117 homers, 450 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Ludwick will likely share LF with Chris Heisey in 2012.

The Reds have signed 27-year old switch-hitting catcher Dioner Navarro to a minor league deal. Navarro played in 64 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 34 of 176 (.193 avg, .600 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 5 homers and 17 RBIs. He has now played in 602 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 473 of 1,942 (.244 avg, .660 OPS) with 202 runs scored, 39 homers, 197 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Unless Ryan Hanigan gets dealt before the season starts, Navarro will be playing in AAA.

The Cincinnati Reds have been really aggressive in the trade market and free agency with the idea of fixing up the pitching staff. The Reds have not brought in any players for the field that have a good chance of making the team this spring as of yet. The Reds paid a big price player wise for righty starting pitcher Mat Latos, but he gives them a legit #1 or #2 starter at the right price cash wise. The Reds also rebuilt the back end of the bullpen when they signed righty Ryan Madson to replace Francisco Cordero as the closer and they dealt for lefty Sean Marshall to serve as the set-up man. The Reds also claimed righty reliever Josh Judy off waivers from the Indians and they also have signed lefty relievers Ron Mahay and Clay Zavada to compete for jobs in the pen this spring. I really like the moves the Reds have made to tighten up the pitching staff for the 2012 season.

The Reds have signed 40-year old lefty reliever Ron Mahay to a minor league deal. Mahay pitched in 24 games (0 starts) in A+AAA-ball last year and he was 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Twins. Mahay has pitched in 514 games (3 starts) in his first 14 years in the majors and he is 27-12 with 4 saves, a 3.83 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Mahay will have a good shot to make the Reds’ bullpen this spring if he has anything left in the gas tank.

The Reds have signed 27-year old lefty reliever Clay Zavada to a minor league deal. Zavada pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in AA-ball last year and he was 3-2 with 2 saves, a 3.43 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 for the Diamondbacks. Zavada pitched in 49 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs in 2009 and he was 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He will have a good shot of making the Reds’ bullpen this spring.

UPDATE: (4/10/2012) - The Reds release Clay Zavada.