Late signing surprises Hudson's former mates

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Darlington High School graduate Orlando Hudson has a new baseball home, though much later than many expected.

A free agent during the off-season, the 31-year-old second baseman signed a one-year deal Feb. 21 to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The son of Mae and Marcus Hudson, Orlando received a $3.38 million base salary with an additional $4.6 in incentives, according to MLB.com reports.

The three-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner and one-time All-Star earned $6.25 million last year playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 107 games – a career low since he became a starter in 2003 – Hudson hit a career-best .305 with eight home runs and 41 runs batted in. His season was derailed by a wrist injury that required surgery in August.

He was one of the prominent free agents, particularly middle infielders, in a down market. His former teammates were among those who expected him to draw more interest.

Hudson reported to MLB Network in February that the Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees and Washington Nationals were interested in him.
“I was surprised,” said Florida Marlins bench coach Carlos Tosca, Hudson’s manager when they were with the Toronto Blue Jays. “I think there were a lot of people that were surprised because all the things that Orlando is capable of doing and all the things he’s shown he can do.”

Baltimore Orioles catcher Gregg Zaun, now in his 15th major-league season, was Hudson’s teammate in Toronto. “There should have been more interest in him because he’s one of the premier second basemen in the league,” he said. “He’s flat out one of the best out there. He can switch hit, and he does it all defensively.”

Hudson wanted a multi-year contract that has eluded him since he broke into the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002. Media reports indicated he sought $10 million per year.

“His number was probably right on the number in normal times,” Zaun said, “but it seemed like when ownership had a chance to depress the market, they did. It’s one of those unfortunate situations for him.”

New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado played alongside Hudson in the Blue Jays infield. “I think this was a weird market,” Delgado said. “It’s hard to explain. There are some players out there, that you go ‘Wow, how do these guys not have a job, or how do these guys not have an offer?’”

The wrist injury may have been a concern to teams. “Having had hand injuries myself,” Zaun said, “I know that the year after is always an adventure because that strength you just naturally have, that ability to do things with the bat, it’s just gone. You kind of have to force the issue.”

Some media reports indicated teams’ officials were concerned that Hudson had lost a step or two defensively. His 2008 range factor was 4.82, his lowest since 2002.

Tosca sees otherwise. The Marlins played the Diamondbacks nine times last season. “I would say that I disagree with those people who say that his range has gone down,” he said. “I saw him play his first major-league game, and he doesn’t look any different right now, other than he has far more experience. But as far as his range is concerned, I don’t see any difference in that.”

Hudson’s former mates expect a return to form this season. “He’ll go out and have his usual year and be back out on the free agent market again next year and probably get what he’ll have coming to him,” Zaun said.

Delgado noted, “Once he shows people that he was able to bounce back and be healthy, I’m sure that things are going to be better for him next year.”
Hudson’s best offensive production came in 2006, his first year with the Diamondbacks, when he hit .287 with 15 homers with 67 RBIs.