Free agent starting pitcher Tim Hudson is close to signing a two-year, $23 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, according to Steve Berman of Bay Area Sports Guy. The deal would bring Hudson back to the Bay Area, where he spent the first six seasons of his career with the Oakland Athletics.
Tim Hudson free agency: Giants close to signing the pitcher
The terms of the deal are two years, $23 million.
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The 38-year-old Hudson spent the last nine seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He made 21 starts in 2013 and posted an 8-7 record with a 3.97 ERA. However, he missed the final two months of the season after fracturing his right ankle during a game on July 24 while covering first base on a ground ball.
Hudson's new deal actually constitutes a raise for the right-hander -- he earned $9 million in each of his final four seasons with the Braves. Furthermore, it may include a full no-trade clause, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. Atlanta was interested in bringing the pitcher back next year, but wanted him to take a pay cut from that $9 million dollar figure, reports Berman. Hudson's free agent resume was something of a mixed bag when considering his talent and career accomplishments against his age and injury history; in addition to the ankle injury, he also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2009.
The Giants' rotation now features four strong options in Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, and Hudson. The team had been linked to Bronson Arroyo earlier in the offseason, but Berman reports that their interest has faded due to the salary demands of the 36-year-old right-hander.
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