Outfielder Ryan Ludwick and the St. Louis Cardinals have avoided arbitration for a second straight season, agreeing to a US$5.45 million, one-year contract.The 31-year-old Ludwick hit .265 with 22 homers and 97 RBIs last season for the Cardinals. He agreed to a $3.7 million one-year deal last February after becoming an All-Star for the first time in 2008.
Second baseman Skip Schumaker, who is arbitration eligible for the first time, said Sunday that he and the Cardinals were close on a contract.
Ludwick batted .323 with runners in scoring position with 27 two-out RBIs, one behind team leader Albert Pujols, and had nine outfield assists with only one error.
Source: AP
CARDINAL RED BASEBALL 