Saturday January 30, 2010
So what is next for the Padres?
Well…They have been rumored to be interested in Orlando Hudson.
Hudson himself commented on the Padres interest in an interview with MLB.com’s Bill Ladson.
“There is good progress going on every day,” Hudson said. “I will sign soon enough. You can put it on the Internet and on TV. I’m going to sign. I can’t say exactly when. It will not be long. I can’t say if it’s with the Nationals, San Diego or Cleveland. I can’t say with whom. Something is getting done.”
Yesterday Ladson commented on Twitter and in an MLB.com article that the Nationals are likely out of the chase for Hudson. In the article Ladson explains that the Nationals have offered Hudson just $3 million and he has asked for $9 to play there. He goes on to say that the Nationals are are now focused on signing Adam Dunn to an extension and will look to sign the much cheaper Adam Kennedy or find an internal solution at 2B instead.
As far as the money goes, I have read different columnists that have said Hudson is asking for anywhere from a 2 year $10 million deal (Ken Rosenthal) to $9 million for one season (Ladson, Phil Wood, Jon Heyman), but I believe Hudson would take a deal in the $4.5-$5.5 million range if it included an option for a 2nd season.
Hudson would be a perfect fit on the Padres.
While he is not the plus defender many think he is (average of -2.6 UZR the past 3 seasons) and does not have the sure hands of Eckstein (9 errors vs 2 in 2009), but he does have better range.
The biggest upgrade would be in terms of Hudson’s offense. Hudson hit for decent average (.293 over the past 3 seasons with a 107 OPS+) and provides a little power (27 hr over past 3 seasons) While his offense would likely drop slightly with the move to the ultimate pitchers park at Petco, his type of line drive offense would play to the park.
To read more about what is next for the Padres, visit websoulsurfer.com
