Ludwick and Reds close to extension

Ryan Ludwick is getting close to going back to Cincinnati, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Ludwick had received interest from multiple other teams, but it appeared as though he was heading back to Cincinnati the whole time. Passan reports that it is the offer that has been out there the whole time, which was for two years.

Ludwick, 34, hit 26 home runs for the Reds in 2012 while hitting .275/.346/.531, doing so in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. The Reds signing an outfielder means they probably will not pursue another one via free agency or trade, meaning that the remaining outfield market is becoming clearer.

Ludwick was signed by Cincinnati before the 2012 season, after splitting time in 2011 between the San Diego Padres and the Pittsburgh Pirates, being acquired by Pittsburgh for their ill-fated 2011 pennant run.

The outfielder hit three home runs in the Reds' five game Division Series exit against the eventual World Champion San Francisco Giants.

Dusty Baker had mentioned that he hoped Ludwick would resign, and now he has.