Free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson seems set to sign with Minnesota, turning down the Washington Nationals who, it seems, didn't make a strong enough offer. Says William Ladson:
Orlando Hudson On Verge Of Signing With Twins
The baseball source told me that a deal is almost done between 2B Orlando Hudson and the Twins.
It’s entirely possible, of course, that Minnesota’s offer isn’t much better than Washington’s, but Hudson - who just had his first playoff exposure last October - may want to play for a winner. The Twins are looking like a solid bet in the AL Central, while the Nationals remain ensconced in a rebuilding phase that has them years away from serious contention.
Hudson, who turned 32 last December, years ago made a name for himself by being one of the best defensive middle infielders in the league. Age has taken its toll on his fielding, as he’s fallen down towards the rest of the pack, but his bat has remained consistent, as he’s been an above-average hitter four seasons in a row. He makes a good amount of contact, and though his groundball tendencies limit his ability to hit for power, he has a pretty good idea of the strike zone and makes the most of what balls he does send towards the outfield. In addition, any concerns anyone might’ve had about his good numbers in Arizona coming in a hitter-friendly ballpark were eased by Hudson continuing to hit well last year in Los Angeles.
Put simply, Hudson on a short-term deal looks like a good investment for a team with a need. Nick Punto's a fine reserve but over his head as a starter, and last season Alexi Casilla took a considerable step backwards. Hudson will fill a hole and make the Twins better as a result.
Follow the discussion at Twins blog Twinkie Town.
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