Cardinals, Ludwick Avoid Arbitration

The Cardinals wrapped up their final arbitration eligible player tonight, signing outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a one-year deal worth $3.7 million, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold. The contract was signed near the midpoint of the $4.25 million Ludwick asked for and the $2.8 million the Cardinals wanted to pay him.

There are also incentives in the deal that could increase Ludwick's pay, though they start at around 625 plate appearances, a number which, as Goold points out, would indicate that he'll be a full-time player rather than a platoon player.

The agreement may be most significant for the streak it keeps alive in St. Louis; the Cardinals haven't required an arbitration hearing since 1999.