Not…so…fast.

Seems all these rumors were just that, rumors. Mark Sheldon, who covers the Reds for MLB.com quickly squashed those rumors.

Hearing that Ludwick rumor on being close to signing with #reds not so true.

— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) December 5, 2012

Well, Ludwick is reportedly talking to other teams, as he has been doing all along. This is NOT a done deal. I consider the Yankees a viable threat for a Ludwick return. If you go to the team’s website, their outfield as we sit is Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and former Red Chris Dickerson. Now, the Mets are still in play. Ken Davidoff says the Mets would go two years at $6-7MM a year. And do not rule out Cleveland either. It is said Ludwick will listen to them.

So now we wait…as we have following many, many other Winter Meetings, right?

July 28, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Hannahan against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins defeated the Indians 12-5. (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

Enter Jack Hannahan. Huh?

Yes, Jack Hannahan who played more games at third base for the Indians last season than anyone else on their roster. If you’re thinking he’ll start at third and Todd Frazier will move to left, I don’t see that. Sure, Hannahan is possibly looking for a starting job, but the only other team that could guarantee him one might be the Yankees (you know, that whole A-Rod hip needs a surgery thingy.) Unless the Yanks go after Kevin Youkilis, which is a possibility.

No, Hannahan will serve as a backup to The Toddfather. He can play a little short and first, too. He would serve a role similar to Miguel Cairo. It has been said that he is also a great clubhouse guy (something the Reds will need with Cairo’s departure and the still unknown status of Scott Rolen.)

Last season for the Tribe, Hannahan posted a triple slash of .244/.312/.341 with 4 home runs and 29 RBI in 318 plate appearances. As of yet, no word on a deal.

I was contemplating to a recap of the Reds business from these meetings, but considering how little activity they had (but tons of rumors most of which have little juice), I will let you catch up by reviewing the other posts from the first two days.

Day 1
Day 2

That said, outside of hearing about the possible re-signing of Ryan Ludwick, I honestly wouldn’t expect more.

BUT WHAT ABOUT A LEAD-OFF HITTER, YOU MORON?

Oh, that. Well, I do have a positive there.

While it looks like those wanting Shane Victorino are even more depressed than yesterday (Nick Cafardo tweets that the Red Sox have reportedly offered him a deal for three years, $38MM), Reds GM Walt Jocketty has said if the Reds could land “that lead-off guy”, it would most likely be through a trade.

Remember at last year’s Winter Meetings when we all thought Walt was sitting on his hands? Seemed like nothing was going to happen. Generally speaking, the Winter Meetings these days are a little more about free agent signings than trades. Since the Reds weren’t in the market for that big name, big money guy, the market needs to play itself out some.

Keep this in mind, though. Last year, the Winter Meetings ended on December 8th. What followed actually happened.

Sep 22, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Latos runs off of the field at the end of the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park. The Reds would win 6-0 and clinch the NL Central title. (Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports)

December 17, 2011 – The Cincinnati Reds trade Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger, Yasmani Grandal and Edinson Volquez to the San Diego Padres for Mat Latos.

Got a feeling that the groundwork for this deal was most likely made at…the Winter Meetings. The deal garnered its fair share of comments and criticisms. Mostly criticisms. Now whatcha think?

December 23, 2011 – The Cincinnati Reds trade Travis Wood, Dave Sappelt and Ronald Torreyes to the Chicago Cubs for Sean Marshall.

Refer to the Latos deal. Got a feeling the beginnings of this trade were also laid at the Winter Meetings. Some say the Reds gave up too much for Marshall. Of course, that could be because of dealing a total of seven players for two does seem a little off from a mathematical standpoint.

January 13, 2012 – Reds sign free agent Ryan Ludwick

Little did we know what $2MM could buy. This was arguably the best free agent signing from last off-season.

The Reds were hot after Josh Willingham. Willingham himself said the Reds were his second choice. Usually, second place can suck. While Willingham had a monster season for the Twins, the Reds were treated to a re-birth of Ludwick…at a fraction of the cost.

February 8, 2013 – Reds sign free agent pitcher Ryan Madson

Okay, this didn’t quite work out, did it? But at the time it was announced, Reds fans were ecstatic. All the pieces were now in place for 2012.

Now I cannot say that the two free agent signings were the results of the Winter Meetings because Ludwick wasn’t high profile like Madson. And as I mentioned, the Reds were more on Willingham at the time. The Madson signing was largely due to a fallout from a reported four year deal with the Phillies.

So, if during these meetings the Reds make no noise other than re-signing Ludwick, do not completely lose all hope. There is still time to get work done.

After all, it is only three days until Redsfest and 72 days until pitchers and catchers report…

As I was ready to finalize this post, these John Fay tweets hit my Twitter timeline…

#Reds have talked to Arizona. Kubel, Parra, Upton are reportedly available. I don’t think Reds could afford Upton.

— John Fay (@johnfayman) December 4, 2012

Don’t know why Kubel was mentioned unless that’s a backup plan in case Ludwick cannot be re-signed. Parra is interesting. He did serve as the Diamondbacks lead-off hitter in some games last season. The results in 38 games (172 PA) were a triple slash of .307/.374/.464. I agree that Upton is out of the price range.

#Reds have talked to Bailey about a long-term deal. Plan to talk to Latos also.

— John Fay (@johnfayman) December 4, 2012

Plenty of time to get these worked out.

Here’s a couple of notes from Day 1…

Begging and pleading?

Those wanting the Reds to nab Shane Victorino…you might be disappointed and discouraged. It was reported (via Scott Lauber on Twitter) Victorino is wanting a three-year deal around $10MM per year. Can’t see the Reds making that offer especially since they would like to re-sign Ryan Ludwick.

Even though the Reds need that lead-off type hitter (and I will repeat, I don’t see Victorino as the answer), I can’t see them throwing this amount of money Victorino’s way. Not completely sold they’d send that much money Ludwick’s direction either.

And take Angel Pagan off your wish list, too. This is via a tweet from Fox Sport’s Ken Rosenthal as Pagan will re-sign with the Giants. The price? Four years, $40MM tweets Yahoo! Sports Tim Brown.

And the Reds have had no contact with Kevin Youkilis and his reps says John Fay. This should surprise no one, hometown guy or not. As Fay speculates, the only way this could transpire is if the Reds “lose out” on Ryan Ludwick and the market for Youk becomes slim.

Really? Ryan Hanigan?

Aug. 28, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Hanigan against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Not sure I get this unless you’re one that wants Devin Mesoraco to be given the keys to the Reds catching situation, but why would the Reds deal Ryan Hanigan? Yes, I saw a couple of tweets wondering why Hanny isn’t being mentioned in any potential deal.

Mes didn’t exactly get the chance to show all his wares last season. I know, I know. Gotta play more in order to get your game more in tune.

Such has left a few wondering that, despite his recent 50-game suspension, if the Reds had been better served to keep Yasmani Grandal and deal Mesoraco. To me, and regardless of their 2012 numbers and the suspension, I think the Reds did make the better choice. I say that because we saw Mesoraco’s competitive spirit on display more than once. Granted, one display cost him a few games, but nothing wrong with seeing some of those juices flowing.

Considering how the Reds value defense, not why sure you even consider Hanny in a deal anyway. He is no worse than the NL’s second best defensive catcher.

Bray back with Nationals

Bill Bray is back with the Nationals. The lefty reliever signed a minor league deal with them according to a tweet by Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

Offer to Ludwick (h/t to MLB Trade Rumors)

Dusty Baker made it known that the Reds have made an offer to outfielder Ryan Ludwick. Baker also states he hopes Ludwick accepts the Reds offer. Within the same piece on MLBTR, Tim Dierkes states that Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that the Mets have interest in Ludwick.

Have to think the Reds hold an edge for two reasons: Ludwick loves the makeup of the team and GABP is a better offensive park that Citi Field even with the fences brought in.

Maybe a third? Ownership?

Fay also tweets that the Reds and Ludwick’s agent will meet tomorrow morning. GM Walt Jocketty says if Ludwick is to be re-signed, it could be this week.