Orlando Hudson - MLB.com
So Orlando Hudson is now a Dodger. There’s been a lot written on him and whether he should be a Dodger, but I don’t think it’s a bad move. He is a proven defender (which the Dodgers needed), and if he has a good year, he could be great on offense too.
My cousin lives in Arizona and wrote this to me on facebook:
“Nice pick of of O-Dog (Orlando Hudson). That’s a big sting to D-backs fans, he was a favorite.”
This actually says a lot to me. If he was a fan favorite, that means he hustles and gets the job done. Adding people like that to the team only makes the team better. It does create a little potential log jam in the in-field, (I do like DeWitt) but that’s probably ok. Jon Weisman’s blog makes a good point that given Furcal’s injury history, a little redundancy is a good thing.
Given the money, this deal is a steal. I think Ned Colletti’s new nickname should be “The Bargain Hunter.” I don’t know that this is a compliment given his job, but man does he grab the deals. It honestly makes you wonder if there is a special clause in his contract that if he cuts a certain amount off contracts that he gets a commission. He didn’t seem to get that from Brian Sabean (Ahh the Zito contract will never die), but he does seem to have it.
The biggest knock against Hudson is that he makes the Dodgers give their #17 pick to the Diamondbacks. Giving away minor league players doesn’t seem to be a problem to The Bargain Hunter. Good, bad, or indifferent, he has always preferred the proven “bird in the hand, rather than two in the bush.” Here’s a great article by Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness on how recent #17 pics have turned out. There’s been a lot more that haven’t worked out…but the list does make you cringe a little bit…especially Cole Hamels.
Either way, the move continues to bolster the offense and defense, and pulls help from the Diamondbacks at least this year. Now if only we could still find more pitching…
Let me know your thoughts – Do you like Hudson?
Tags: Blake DeWitt, Cole Hamels, Ned Colletti, Orlando Hudson
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I am really torn on this one. I think this is one of those deals that if the Dodgers knew this would have been available before they signed Casey Blake they would have let him go. I hate seeing Blake Dewitt getting pushed back but this is a one year deal and as you mentioned does provide some stability-redundancy in the middle infield which isn’t a bad thing. Also its a quality experienced bat to add to the lineup and will replace some of the lost Offense from Kent leaving the lineup. Hopefully this is an addition to Manny instead of a replacement but time will tell with that. Overall I like the move for the money it cost and the benefits that will be reaped will be a good one. Draft pick hurts but prospects aren’t what we are lacking. Proven players seem to be more what we are lacking. I am curious to see what all these incentive’s are for. Also a guy on a contract year always tends to be a “motivated” player.
I’ve always been a big fan of DeWitt, so I definitely don’t disagree with you there. From what I’ve read, a lot of GM’s weren’t confident on Hudson’s wrist being ready, so who knows, he may not play a lot anyway. Nice call on the contract year player. I still don’t know that anyone did that one better than Mr. Adrian Beltre!