Giants heighten interest in Hudson...

[kar120c]

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants' pursuit of free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, previously considered casual, is apparently serious.
Two industry sources said on Thursday that the Giants have reaffirmed their interest in Hudson, who is widely regarded as the leading free agent available at his position.

No deal is imminent, as is the case with the other free agents atop the Giants' shopping list, including left-hander CC Sabathia, shortstops Rafael Furcal and Edgar Renteria and, possibly, right-hander Juan Cruz. But the Giants' signing on Monday of left-hander Jeremy Affeldt -- the first free agent to come to terms -- demonstrated the club's intent to seek talent aggressively this offseason.

Hudson, who turns 31 on Dec. 12, is among the Majors' most multidimensional infielders. The three-time Gold Glove winner hit a career-high .305 last season with eight home runs, 41 RBIs and a .367 on-base percentage for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A switch-hitter, Hudson owns a lifetime .282 average.

Hudson plays one of several positions where the Giants seek an offensive upgrade. Their second basemen ranked last in the National League with five home runs, 14th with 78 runs and 12th with a .707 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging).

Injuries have plagued Hudson recently. A torn ligament in his left thumb forced him to undergo season-ending surgery on Sept. 10, 2007. Last season, left ankle and left wrist ailments limited him to 107 games.

Hudson, who earned $6.25 million last season, is a Type A free agent, which would require the Giants to surrender their second-round selection in June's First-Year Player Draft to the D-backs.

Were the Giants to acquire Hudson, Kevin Frandsen, who has been considered a leading candidate to man second base, likely would be tried at third.


My take:
Orlando Hudson would be an interesting move for the Giants, and a good one I believe.

Pro:
1) Excellent defender (Gold Glove winner in AL and NL).
2) All Star.
3) Very good bat for a 2b (he came to ARI from TOR in the Troy Glaus deal).
4) Solid hitter - .305 last year (107 games), .282 for career.
5) Good clutch hitter - for a guy who does not hit many HR, he gets his RBI.
6) Very good in the club house.

Con:
1) Injuries the past two seasons (torn ligament in thumb, requiring surgery, ended his season in 2007, dislocated wrist ended his 2008 season after 107 games).
2) No word on how much he wants or how long (he made $6.25 mil last season).
3) Type A Free Agent - Giants would give up their 2nd round draft next june to ARI if they signed him.
4) Not old, but not a youngster, either. Turns 31 next month.

Reccommendation:
Looking at him, one is tempted to think "Ray Durham". However, while his injuries are not minor, they are not chronic (legs, back). His style of play (he dives, slides, etc.) reminds me of an OF with the Angels - Jim Edmonds. Edmonds had such game related injuries early in his career with LAA, and got healthy in his 30's to have some very good years with STL.

All in all, at a reasonable contract, Hudson would be the best 2b, and the best defensive IF on the Giants. Much as I like Velez and Frandsen, a healthy Hudson would be ahead of them, and a plus at 2B.

[Bear]

From reading some of your other posts is it safe to say you would rather have Orlando Hudson over Rafael Furcal? As I see it the Giants will try to sign one or the other but not both. I guess at this point it's stay tuned and we will see. :)

[McCovey]

Perhaps Hudson for two years is ok but any longer than that is not a good idea. Also, Hudson's defense has deteriorated significantly in '08.

[kar120c]

From reading some of your other posts is it safe to say you would rather have Orlando Hudson over Rafael Furcal? As I see it the Giants will try to sign one or the other but not both. I guess at this point it's stay tuned and we will see. :)

Your powers of observation are good - yes, I would prefer Hudson over Furcal. For two reasons...

1) As I say, a hand injury in baseball is not trivial. But neither is it chronic - if you are young enough (and Hudson is), it can heal. A back injury is a whole other animal. Even with surgery (as Furcal has had) it is potentially the very definition of the word chronic (you have good days and bad, but it is always with you).

2) From a defensive POV, I would much rather have Hudson/Burriss than Furcal/Frandsen-Velez. And like you, I would not sign both. IOW, I believe Burriss would be stronger defensively at SS than Frandsen or Velez would be at 2B.

Also, McCovey makes the point that, defensively, the Hudson of '08 is not the same as the Hudson of previous years. There is truth in this. However, I believe that the Hudson of 08 is still markedly superior on defense to Frandsen (who is really valued more for his bat) or Velez (who is still learning how to play 2b, IMHO). And it is reasonable to assume that the Hudson of '08 was not 100% physically (thumb ligament surgery in Dec of '07), even before he hurt his wrist, so there is reason to believe that a healthy Hudson, while not reclaiming the heights of his defensive prowess of years past, would be much improved over last season.


One more thought: With the possible exception on Nick Noonan (and he is at least 2 years away), the Giants really don't have anything down on the farm at 2B. From what I have seen, Ivan Ochoa and Brian Bocock don't seem to be the long term answer there. After what he did in '08, at least there is some justification for giving Burriss a shot at SS. For 2B, I like Velez, only slightly more thn Frandsen - but I don't think the Giants are set there with either one, as I would with someone like Orlando Hudson.

Finally, if Sabean can land someone like JJ Hardy (I don't think he can, but he knows more about it than I), and move Burriss to 2B, all bets on Hudson are off.

[Bear]

You talk about it at the end of your post, but I think if they sign a shortstop than Burris can play 2B. As far as Frandsen and Velez go I think only one will remain with the the team in 09 and that most likely will be as a reserve. Neither of these two have shown they can start for any period of time on the ML level.:(

[kar120c]

You talk about it at the end of your post, but I think if they sign a shortstop than Burris can play 2B. As far as Frandsen and Velez go I think only one will remain with the the team in 09 and that most likely will be as a reserve. Neither of these two have shown they can start for any period of time on the ML level.:(

I agree.

One more thing about Velez...

If not for his final 6 weeks of '08, I would say farewell to Velez. And I like him - I liked what I saw in those final 6 weeks. During that time, he was the most exciting Giant I saw, after Pablo Sandoval.

But he is soon to be 27. He was given the job at the beginning of the year, and he still had to be sent down in May. Granted, he played well in AAA, and after his return to the Giants also, but he must understand that next spring is when he must convince the Giants that he belongs in a ML lineup.

Personally, I find myself pulling for him. I think he is one exciting player - the Giants don't really have anyone like him. Any line drive he hits into the gap is a potential triple. If he hit between .260 and .280, and could refine his mechanics of how to steal (no one with his speed has any excuse getting caught 6 times out of 21), I believe he could steal 80 bases. The Giants have no one like that, that I know of, in their entire organization.

I hope his last 6 weeks were not a flash in the pan. But even though I like Velez, he must show that he can perform, or someone else must be given the chance instead (i.e. Frandsen). As Bill Parcells is fond of saying: "Potential is important. But it comes with an expiration date".

At this point, I don't believe Sabean can be faulted for going after someone like Orlando Hudson. Were I him, I would do the same.

[TkleMstr52]

He really started to struggle after hitting the bench.:nono: If he gets the playing time, my Lemur friend guarantees he opens a lot of eyes!! I only hope he gets his chance and the G-men stay away from over the hill vets like Hudson and Renteria!! Go YounGuns!!:beerbang:

[SF Kid]

Hudson = Zito. :nono:

[Bear]

Hudson is no Zito. I know Zito and there is no way you can compare them.:nono: