Giants, RHP Hudson agree to two-year deal
Adding a fourth All-Star to their rotation, the San Francisco Giants agreed to terms on a with free agent right-handed pitcher Tim Hudson on Monday.
According to multiple media reports, Hudson will receive a two-year, $23 million contract. The team confirmed the agreement, and the deal could be finalized as soon as Tuesday.
Hudson, 38, was 8-7 with a 3.97 for the Atlanta Braves this year. He is expected to make the Giants' strong pitching staff even stronger if he is completely recovered from a severe ankle injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the final two months of the season.
The San Jose Mercury News reported that Hudson is nearing the end of the rehab process and could begin throwing later this month.
Hudson suffered a broken ankle and ligament damage when New York Mets outfielder Eric Young Jr. stepped on his foot on a play at first base in late July.
Hudson was pitching well before the injury. From June 1 through July 24, Hudson had a 2.73 ERA.
Playing for the Giants would represent Hudson's second stint in the Bay Area. Hudson began his major league career with the Oakland A's in 1999 and formed a formidable starting rotation with Mark Mulder and Barry Zito .
Hudson was traded to the Braves in 2004 and pitched well for nine seasons in Atlanta.
He won at least 15 games in a season eight times, with his best season being 2000, when he went 20-6 and finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting.
Hudson joins Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum -- all former All-Stars -- in the Giants' rotation.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, two issues helped the Giants acquire Hudson. First, Hudson, an Alabama native and Georgia resident, made it known he would be willing to move back across the country for the right team. Also, the Braves apparently offered him a contract with a significantly smaller salary than he earned last year.
