Braves expected to announce Hudson deal soon

After the conclusion of the World Series, the Braves are expected to announce they have agreed to a three-year contract extension with righthander Tim Hudson(notes), according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Hudson returned from Tommy John surgery late this season, going 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven September starts. In five seasons with Atlanta, he is 56-39 with a 3.77 ERA in 128 games (127 starts).

Hudson's return will give Atlanta six starting pitchers—Javier Vazquez(notes), Derek Lowe(notes), Jair Jurrjens(notes), Tommy Hanson(notes) and Kenshin Kawakami(notes) are the others—for five rotation spots. With a need for more offense, one of the team's starters figures to be dealt this offseason.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution speculated the Braves would prefer to trade Lowe, but his big contract will make that tough. Coming off a strong season (15-10, 2.87 ERA), Vazquez likely would bring the most in return.

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