Orlando Hudson signed with the Minnesota Twins at 1 year $5 million. Hudson is a four time Gold Glove winner and hit .283 with 9 homers, 8 stolen bases and 35 doubles last year for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hudson will be taking over for Nick Punto allow him to move over and share time with Brendan Harris at 3rd base. Hudson is slotted to bat second in what is looking to be a very potent offense for the Twinkies this season. He will be a great table setter for Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Jim Thome and company.
Hudson seems to be an anomaly the past few years. He has always put up good numbers while playing good defense yet he seems to have great difficulty in finding a job. At 32 years old he is obviously not getting younger and he does play a physically demanding position. But, his numbers don’t seem to show any slide in defensive prowess. Yet last season Joe Torre benched Hudson in favor of Ronnie Belliard at the end of the season. Is there something they are telling us? Does Hudson have a poor attitude? Does he not get along with his team mates in the locker room? Why does Hudson always seem to be the red headed step child of the baseball world? I’m stumped. It seems as though Hudson may have to repeat the process again next offseason having only signed a one year deal.
