Cincinnati Reds: Should They Trade Chris Heisey to San Diego for Ryan Ludwick?

Hall of Fame writer Hal McCoy has mentioned that the San Diego Padres would be willing to trade veteran outfielder Ryan Ludwick with no boot expected.

What say ye, Reds Nation?

I will tell you what I say: What do we need with another left-fielder who can barely bat their weight?

If we are going to trade Heisey, let it be for an upgrade, not a lateral move or worse. If you can’t find a top-drawer outfielder (even if you had to sweeten the pot a tad), deal with it internally.

Ryan Ludwick is not a young man. He isn’t what you would call “long in the tooth” yet, but at 33 (in July), it won’t be long.

Let us take a sneak peak at Ludwick’s numbers so far: He is batting .256/.327/.402 with eight HR and 37 RBI.

Most of us know of GM Walt Jockety’s propensity to bring players back from his past. Scott Rolen is the best example, yet he doesn’t help my case in point here.

If Tony LaRussa didn’t deem Ludwick worth keeping, why should we want to waste young talent in obtaining an overpaid, past-prime outfielder?

Chris Heisey is 26, still perfecting his game and is batting .281 with four HR and 20 RBI in only 96 AB. He is a top-notch fielder and can play all three outfield positions. His value to the Reds is tremendous.

The Reds troubles with the left field position have been well chronicled throughout the fruited plain. Jonny Gomes is struggling, Fred Lewis is underachieving and Heisey is better suited as a pinch-hitter and late inning defensive replacement.

Many fans, a.k.a. villagers with torches, have called for the head of Gomes so Heisey could play every day. That sounds nice in theory, but it doesn’t work in the real world. Some say if Heisey had the chance to play consistently, his numbers would rise to the occasion.

Center fielder Drew Stubbs is leading the planet in strikeouts. His 83 whiffs has him on pace to challenge the MLB record, currently held by Mark Reynolds.

How about setting him down and putting Heisey in CF and the leadoff slot?

Earlier in the year when Gomes was batting a respectable number, I made the suggestion that the Reds employ a four man outfield with them all playing at a fairly equal pace.

I withdraw that plan since Jay Bruce has been knocking the cover off the ball. Let Gomes, Stubbs and Heisey each play an equal amount of time.

The Reds need look no further than their own farm. Yonder Alonso has been playing some left field this season. Todd Frazier can work out there as well. Dave Sappelt (remember him from spring training?) is now with Louisville and is batting .341/.417/.588.

So, with all due respect to the Muckety Mucks leading the Padres front office, I have to give you a big two thumbs down.

If we wanted to trade down, we would try to find Coco Crisp. Is he still playing?