MLB - Sports Rumors

Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:21 am EDT

Braves’ Tim Hudson to test free agency

By Mark Miller

“TimAtlanta Braves right-handed starter could just sign on the dotted line of a mutual option he has with the team and make $12 million next season. But the word from the Sporting News is that he is going to decline the option and see what he can get for himself in the free-agent market during rough financial times, according to the Sporting News.

His medical records will be scrutinized by any team that is interested in signing him. After all, he only started seven games for the Braves this year, going 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA, after returning from Tommy John surgery.

As hard as it would be to lose a guy who has won 148 games in the majors, the Braves are pretty well set up without Hudson: A rotation of Derek Lowe(notes), Javier Vazquez(notes), Jair Jurrjens(notes), Kenshin Kawakami(notes) and Tommy Hanson(notes) wouldn't be too shabby.

Source: Sporting NewsNew Window

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41 Comments

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  1. dagoldeneagle
    1. Posted by dagoldeneagle Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:00 am EDT

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    hudson is one of the premiere pitcher of the decade.
    12 million is a bargain, especially when scrubs like kyle lohse, carlos silva, and gil meche are making more than 10 million a season.
    i hope he gets something around the 4 year 60 million derek lowe got last year.
    pay the man.
  2. Joe runner
    2. Posted by Joe runner Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:01 am EDT

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    I thought picking up the option would be a no brainer. Wrong again! Good luck to Huddy! Hope he lands a big one. Great pitcher, Great guy!
  3. Howie from Poughkeepsie
    3. Posted by Howie from Poughkeepsie Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:07 am EDT

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    Many who play for the Braves and like Atlanta take a discount so that they can stay and fit within the Braves allotted salary scale. It hasn't been a secret that the Braves wanted to keep Hudson at a more affordable salary, and trade either Lowe or Kawakami for a hitter. From what I read, Hudson has been very happy with Atlanta so I am very surprised to read this - and very disappointed. Here is another solid player who came to the Braves at a high salary, didn't perform in his early years to the level the Braves and fans expected - and also lost a year due to injury. I would have that he would have taken this into account but he didn't. Looks like another Mike Hampton response, and I am quite disappointed. But - so be it.
  4. Tyson
    4. Posted by Tyson Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:39 am EDT

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    disappointed? hudson isn't as stupid as you think. the braves are no longer annual contender, so no one would take a discount just to play for them.
    i'm sure glad he came to his senses. he's been underpaid for years. maybe after blowing out his arm, he finally realized that you can't play forever and wants to cash in when he can. smart move, hud.
  5. Tyson
    5. Posted by Tyson Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:40 am EDT

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    what's wrong with players wanting to get paid and get a raise?
    they are just like you and me.
    the day you wouldn't take a raise, let me know.
  6. Ty E. Slocumb
    6. Posted by Ty E. Slocumb Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:47 am EDT

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    People forget that it is a business.
  7. Michael
    7. Posted by Michael Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:29 am EDT

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    Laughable quote of the article: "he is going to decline the option and see what he can get for himself in the free-agent market during rough financial times". If I was making $12 million a year, I would find it hard to say I was in rough financial times. I know, the statement was more of a question of what another team might pay him, not so much as how much he would make, but it is still ridiculous. I thought he was a cinch to sign the option, he already said he wants to stay with the team if possible. I guess its up to him as to whether or not it is possible. I would rather have him and trade Derek Lowe if possible, but that isnt likely.
  8. str A's hooter
    8. Posted by str A's hooter Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:53 am EDT

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    Tim Hudson was Rich Harden's mentor when with the A's. They both have rocket launchers for arms, but are mounted on small bodies. Something has to give. The only way their arms can last, is to mix in a lot of junk, and blow one by the batter every once in a while to keep them guessing.
    Good luck Tim and Rich! Its been a pleasure to watch both of you pitch in your prime.
  9. The Masturbator M.D
    9. Posted by The Masturbator M.D Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:07 am EDT

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    A rotation of Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, Kenshin Kawakami and Tommy Hanson. what about Kris Medlen who went 3 and 5 with a 4.26 era. and lets not forget AAA pitchers like Jonathan Venters(L) the 07/13/2009 SOU Mid-Season All-Star for the Gwinnett Braves. And if all else fails theres always Jo-Jo Reyes.
  10. NeAlvey
    10. Posted by NeAlvey Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    I thought it was a team option for 2010...does he have a choice?
  11. Jo Bangles
    11. Posted by Jo Bangles Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    The Dodgers are always in the market for overpaid starters with debilitating injuries. See Darren Dreifort, Kevin Brown, and Jason Schmidt.
  12. str A's hooter
    12. Posted by str A's hooter Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:35 am EDT

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    NeAlvey, Why ruin such a good rumor?!!
  13. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    13. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:07 am EDT

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    This will cost him. Beckett is making 12 mil in 2010. Hudson wont get more than Beckett so unless he is trying to get a 2 yr deal worth 16-20 mil I dont see why he would do this
  14. Howie from Poughkeepsie
    14. Posted by Howie from Poughkeepsie Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:36 am EDT

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    #11, Both teams have the option so either Hudson or the Braves can decline and he is a free agent.
  15. jerryr
    15. Posted by jerryr Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:16 pm EDT

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    There is "NO" Integrity with today's atheletes. This is another prime example of what Hampton done to the Braves. Set in the dugout for a period and draw a TREMENDOUS salary & when healthy BOLT. It makes me sick to my stomach. If you want to leave Tim Hudson, and stick the Braves Organ. & their fans, then by all means hit the bricks!
  16. richard
    16. Posted by richard Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:35 pm EDT

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    I believe Hudson will resign with Braves again if Braves can offer him longer deal with lower salary each year. However, if teams like Yankees offer him 16-17 millions, I think he will leave the Braves for sure.
    By the way, I like Lowe or KK pitching for the Braves. It is almost impossible to mess up with the Braves team anyway. It will be a fine team in 2010 no matter what.
  17. Rob
    17. Posted by Rob Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:54 pm EDT

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    Braves might give him, maybe, 3 years/26 million or so.
  18. Steve
    18. Posted by Steve Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:07 pm EDT

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    Tim -- See you later, thanks for a few good starts!!! This guy has not done much for our Braves, got paid for not doing a darn thinkg all year, and we should not tender his offer and pay him $12 million for 2010. I would rather have three $4 million dollars pithcers, or two $6 Million pitchers. (or speedy, power pitter in the OF that play every day) This guy is not Nolan Ryan, Sandy Kofax, Phil Niekro...he is a decent pitcher, much hyped and over paid (like many MLB players)......
    See Ya Tim!! Hope your tatoos go with you, Thanks for taking up a locker in the club house and making an occasional joke on TV. My man the real deal would like your kind of money and he can take a hit, you just give em up.
  19. DaveB
    19. Posted by DaveB Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:09 pm EDT

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    this is to lucrative2115
    What are you stupid? You don't think $12 million a year is getting paid?
    Way too much money for anyone to play a game for a living. I think they need to cap the salary at about $5 million a season for everyone, no ifs ands or buts about it. That way they can make tickets cheaper and us poor schlubs that don't make $12 million a year might be able to go to a game or two
  20. The Masturbator M.D
    20. Posted by The Masturbator M.D Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:16 pm EDT

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    We have plenty of Good pitching. 8 pitchers started at least 4 games this year for the braves.....
    Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vázquez, Tommy Hanson, Kenshin Kawakami, Tim Hudson, Kris Medlen, Jo-Jo Reyes..... and thats not including the pitchers that are ready for the majors that pitched at AAA....... Todd Redmond(24 GS), Jonny Venters(17), James Parr, Jeff Lyman, just to name a few.
    I can see a rotation of: Vázquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, Kawakami, and have Medlen, Reyes, Redmond, and Venters fight for the 5th spot in the rotation. while Releasing Hudson and trading Lowe we free up what 25 million, thats good enough to get a speedy OF and/or 1B. We can sign A. LaRoche to a 1 year deal worth 5 or 6 million and and still have 20 mill for a outfielder.
  21. ken l
    21. Posted by ken l Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    The Braves need a stopper in the bullpen if they hope to go to the playoffs in 2010.I would trade KK maybe he can find the pitching mound in another city.His season was dreadful,and the Braves can do so much better.Again the Braves need a ninth inning guy who can bring in 30-50 saves.This will be Chipper and Cox last year as they are both going to retire after 2010 season is over.
  22. john.holton@...
    22. Posted by john.holton@... Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    The Braves had five excellent starters this past season, and Hudson wasn't one of them. Lowe and Kawakami had uneven years (though Lowe won 15 games and Kawakami had some starts where he was brilliant), but Vazquez and Jurrjens would have won 20 games with better run support and Tommy Hanson had a Rookie of the Year season (though he probably won't win it). Hudson was great while he was in Atlanta and had a strong September this year, but the Braves need to use the money they'd pay him for a strong right-handed hitter.
  23. squeakywarrior
    23. Posted by squeakywarrior Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

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    We can now add Hudson to the long and growing list of Pitchers who have come to Atlanta with great expectation and huge salaries only to spend most of the time on the DL. I'd like just once to hear a guy say, "You know, I haven't really earned the money I have been paid since I spent my whole time here on the DL so I'm going to take the option/offer and play here for another year or two to make it up..."
    That will never happen so add Hudson to the likes of Byrd, Hampton, Smoltz and I'm sure I've forgotten a few.. Ungrateful millionaires who have to get all they can even though they haven't earned what they have gotten...
  24. Shovelhead Kevin
    24. Posted by Shovelhead Kevin Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:07 pm EDT

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    That's great news!!!
    Good luck Huddy.........and don't let the door hit ya in the ass on yer way out of town.
    We wasted how much time waiting for him to be well enough to play?
    Take the money and get us some run support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    sidenote: What about bringing Smoltzy back {if he would come back that is...} for our closer?
    That way we could have a farewell tour for 3 of the best Braves there ever was............Smoltzy, Bobby and Chipper {I do believe that next year will prolly be Chipper's last.....then maybe hitting coach after '10 season is over...}
    Just a thought........now I have a headache......
  25. Bamajr25
    25. Posted by Bamajr25 Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

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    I thought it would be a no brainer to bring him back and put Kawakami in the pen for a Long reliever of 7th inning man. Oh well I do beleive they will be back in the playoffs next year if we can find a big bat.

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