Tipping the cap to Orlando Hudson

As he officially moves on, a little appreciation for the brief Dodgers career of Orlando Hudson.

It was a quick, one-year stop but it seems too easy for most to dismiss him. To focus on the end of his season here, when he faded and lost his starting job, and not on the previous five months when he was more than the Dodgers had any right to expect.

OK, maybe he wasn't the next Davey Lopes or Jeff Kent, but he never was supposed to be. What he was, was a small godsend from the troubled economy that allowed the Dodgers to sign him late and in a position of need.

And he delivered, became more than just a reliable part of the team. Played well enough to be named an All-Star. Played well enough that he helped the Dodgers endure the 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez.

When Ramirez came back, the Dodgers had the best record in baseball. And on the day Ramirez returned July 3, Hudson was batting .294, with five home runs, 41 RBI and 48 runs.

He ran the bases well, was good in the clubhouse, and if not quite the defender he once was, still was well above average.

Hudson, 32, understandably was looking for a bump in the $3.4 guaranteed contract (though hefty incentives reportedly ultimately brought the deal to almost $7 million). The Dodgers did not offer arbitration, so there will be no bonus draft pick.

The Twins, who also signed Dodger-for-a-moment Jim Thome, obviously believe Hudson is still enough of a hitter and defender to warrant a one-year $5 million deal and plan to bat him second.

They think he fell into their laps. Sort of like the Dodgers last year.

Meanwhile, second base remains unsettled for the Dodgers. They have options and should be fine, but the possibility remains they may appreciate Hudson more now that he's gone.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Orlando Hudson. Credit: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[Package]

Hudson should have been retained. He got a bum rap. He is a better 2nd baseman that Belly. I think Torre never liked Hudson but Odog was a good soldier and did whatever was asked of him.

[Package]

Why is it taking so long to show posts???

[rolie]

I'm gonna miss the O Dawg. His defense saved many runs for us. We now have an overweight Belliard and a converted third basemen. I still don't know why so many fans like Belliard. The guy hit well during a soft part of the schedule. If I recall correctly, there was only 1 opposing team with a winning record in September. I think the Dodgers were too cheap to pay for a decent second basemen. I believe the middle infield spots are key defensive spots.

[CAROL A BELL]

WELCOME MR STEVE DILBECK FROM ANOTHER "PEPPY" DODGER FAN!

[Robinson42]

I'm happy for O-Dog. He will be truly miss. A great all around player both on and off the field. When he hit for the cycle, he talked about Jackie Robinson and how happy he was for playing with the same organization that gave Jackie a chance...I just hated that how Torre treated him in September and in the playoffs...It was clear that he was being benched because the Dodgers were so stingy that they didn't want to pay him more...To not offer him salary arb. is just ridiculous...O-Dog deserved to be treated better than how he got treated in the last two months...For the McCourts/Colletis...if you are going to offer a player incentives based contract, don't have the manager be forced to bench the player because he reached your wildest expectations....Wish you well O-Dog.

[oldbrooklynfan]

I can't help but think that something was physically wrong with O.Dog at the end.
His wrist may have been bothering him more then they care to say.
Torre had to have a better reason to bench him then just because he was slumping and Belly was hitting a lot better.
It didn't seem right that a player of his caliber could suddenly be taken out of the lineup and left on the bench.
Well good luck to him, but not against us.

[Artful Dodger]

I'm still really confused why he was benched at the end and not at least offered arbitration. Has any reporter done any investigating on this? I can't seem to find out anything other than speculation. Steve? Do you know anything?

[Steve Dilbeck]

Artful Dodger,
The Dodgers have not been all that forthcoming on the situation, mostly leaving us to read between the lines: Hudson faded, he wanted a semi-decent contract, and ultimately, may not be much better, if at all, than what they have.
Teams are careful not to criticize former players in general, but particularly one that made obvious contributions and was never a known problem.

[Artful Dodger]

Cool, thanks for the quick response Steve. I'm gonna like this blog... reminds me of the KBros days!

[Elson Trinidad]

How could you do an article on Hudson's Dodger career and NOT mention him hitting for the cycle?!

[Steve Dilbeck]

Elson:
Youre absolutely right, it should have been mentioned.
Certainly, I had no intention of not giving him his due.
Thanks,
Steve

[Hollywood Mark]

This is silly. All-Star second baseman. Hit for the cycle. .280 plus all year. WON THE NL GOLD GLOVE FOR SECOND BASE! This is just about the money - any discussion of talent here is misguided unless you had a rook phenom coming up whom he was blocking or you signed a bigger star for the position. ODog left his heart on the field. For one whole year he literally bled Dodger Blue. For me, he will be sorely missed.

[Bill Shaikin]

Artful Dodger:

Hudson signed for $3 million last year, but he earned $7.6 million in all, since he hit just about all of his incentive bonuses. If the Dodgers offered him arbitration, they could not have proposed more than a 20% pay cut -- that is, they would have had to pay him at least $6.1 million if he had accepted arbitration. And, of course, he would have proposed a raise -- and almost certainly gotten one. He had a pretty good year, after all, so it would have been difficult to persuade arbitrators why the Dodgers should be allowed to cut his salary.

Bottom line: The Dodgers could have had to pay Hudson about $8 million had they offered him arbitration. He probably would have accepted, given that he got $5 million from the Twins in free agency. And of course the Dodgers had no interest in paying $8 million for a second baseman, as evidenced by their signings of Jamey Carroll ($3.85 million for two years) and Ron Belliard ($850,000). If they weren't willing to risk paying Randy Wolf $8 million when starting pitching was their greatest need, they certainly weren't about to risk paying Hudson that much.

[g burd]

Must agree O-dog did get the shaft, but baseball is a business. The dodger team's core is intact the subtle additions were of no magnitude but certainly will not hurt them. One added piece of the puzzle should be addressed. With 2 weeks til pitchers and catchers report, John Smoltz would be a nice addition to the rotation. Can probably be had at a price and be an excellent 5th starter. He proved he can still throw as he did with the Cardinals at seasons end.

[Sean]

I agree. O-Dog was one of my favorite Dodgers to watch this year. His range at second base was unbelievable. There were at least 10 plays he made this year that not very many second basemen could make. I remember particularly a play he made in the Pittsburgh game to knock a ball down that helped LA hold off the Pirates and win the game. He will be missed...no doubt... as well Juan Pierre. I loved watching both of those guys. They were a great example of what a true professional is.

[eltalon]

O-dog you will be missed ! And I am worried. These things often go horribly wrong for us Dodgers with weak vision. Pedro Martinez, sure he's looking silvered around the edges now, but why do our allegiances ALWAYS have to be dollar-signed on the bottom line ? We enjoyed and appreciated you Orlando, be well, thrive and when you visit, make us remember.