San Francisco Giants showing interest in Braves pitcher Tim Hudson
By Brad Rowland
Jul 11, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (15) pitches in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve already brought you reports of the Boston Red Sox being interested in Braves pitcher (and free agent) Tim Hudson, but now, a new suitor has reportedly entered the mix.
Told that #Giants are serious about signing a Hudson or Haren type to short deal (2 yrs top) -- with higher avg. salary than you'd expect.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 12, 2013
News that the Giants would be inclined to come after Huddy isn’t a shock, simply because they are clearly throwing money around this season. San Francisco has already vastly overpaid for both Tim Lincecum ($35 million!) and Hunter Pence, and if they are in “win now” mode, it is in their best interest to bring in another arm to pair with Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and Lincecum.
In addition to the David O’Brien report above, here is an excerpt from Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday.
"One of the Giants’ chief pitching targets is Tim Hudson. Two potential obstacles to signing him appear to be non-issues now. First, sources said, the Alabama native and Georgia resident is willing to move across the country again to pitch for the right team. Second, the Braves apparently offered him a contract with a significantly smaller salary than he earned last year, one he is not inclined to accept."
At first glance, I’m a bit skeptical that Hudson would travel that far to pitch for a team that finished 76-86 last season, but if the Giants overpay (as O’Brien suggests), it begins to make a little bit more sense. No one can seem to nail down just how much money the Braves have offered Hudson, but I have to believe, based on indications from various members of the organizations in public forums, that it was the “1st offer” and not the “final offer” to keep him in Atlanta.
I’ve made my thoughts well-known on Hudson in that I would wholeheartedly endorse his return to the rotation next season, but the cost simply can’t be too much ($8-9 million maximum?) or Frank Wren will have to walk away from the table.
Stay tuned.