If you've been following the hot-stove rumors the last couple of days, your no stranger to the fact that the Giants were very interested in Tim Hudson, and interested in getting something done quickly with him. It looks like they succeeded in both facets.
Reports have just started to break that the Giants and the 38 year-old right-hander have come to terms on a two-year deal worth $23 million, landing the Giants an arm they targeted early in the offseason. The move has not yet been made official at the time of writing this, and I'm sure Huddy will have to pass some sort of physical, but it's looking like 4/5 of the Giants rotation is now secure. Hudson is coming off an injury shortened year in which he started 21 games, went 8-7 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. That ERA was inflated by two bad starts in May, which if you take away has his ERA down around 3.15. Nonetheless, the main concern for him is how he'll rebound after he went down in July with the broken ankle. Going by his recent track record though, all signs point to the Giants getting quality value. In his previous 3 years before 2013, he went 49-26 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.17 WHIP while leading a very good Braves staff. Huddy will likely come into San Francisco and become the 3rd or 4th guy, which makes him even more valuable. There are just a lot of things to like about this move. Had he finished out the season pitching the way he was, he'd probably have finished off with 15+ wins again, and would be seeking a contract significantly north of what he signed for.
Again, this deal certainly comes with some risk. On top of the broken ankle rehab, there's really no telling on when a 38 year-old pitcher with Hudson's mileage will start breaking down. Also, you could point to the fact that the Braves just let him walk without much of a fight after he's been such a stalwart for them the last decade. That may raise some flags. All in all though, I think the Giants did their homework and made a good decisions here. In addition to getting a quality mid-rotation starter, there's the mentor factor as well. Huddy should provide a stable sounding board for the younger guys on this staff. I could especially see him being beneficial being around Lincecum, who's having to learn how to pitch without that 95 MPH fastball he won his Cy Young's with, something Hudson has experience doing with success.
Double thumbs up to Sabes for getting this done so soon. Solid number 3 starter with the ability to start a big playoff game as well as a great clubhouse guy and leader for this young staff! So long as he avoids any freak accidents, he should be a solid bet for 190+ innings, a sub-4 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP with solid peripherals.
Reports have just started to break that the Giants and the 38 year-old right-hander have come to terms on a two-year deal worth $23 million, landing the Giants an arm they targeted early in the offseason. The move has not yet been made official at the time of writing this, and I'm sure Huddy will have to pass some sort of physical, but it's looking like 4/5 of the Giants rotation is now secure. Hudson is coming off an injury shortened year in which he started 21 games, went 8-7 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. That ERA was inflated by two bad starts in May, which if you take away has his ERA down around 3.15. Nonetheless, the main concern for him is how he'll rebound after he went down in July with the broken ankle. Going by his recent track record though, all signs point to the Giants getting quality value. In his previous 3 years before 2013, he went 49-26 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.17 WHIP while leading a very good Braves staff. Huddy will likely come into San Francisco and become the 3rd or 4th guy, which makes him even more valuable. There are just a lot of things to like about this move. Had he finished out the season pitching the way he was, he'd probably have finished off with 15+ wins again, and would be seeking a contract significantly north of what he signed for.
Again, this deal certainly comes with some risk. On top of the broken ankle rehab, there's really no telling on when a 38 year-old pitcher with Hudson's mileage will start breaking down. Also, you could point to the fact that the Braves just let him walk without much of a fight after he's been such a stalwart for them the last decade. That may raise some flags. All in all though, I think the Giants did their homework and made a good decisions here. In addition to getting a quality mid-rotation starter, there's the mentor factor as well. Huddy should provide a stable sounding board for the younger guys on this staff. I could especially see him being beneficial being around Lincecum, who's having to learn how to pitch without that 95 MPH fastball he won his Cy Young's with, something Hudson has experience doing with success.
Double thumbs up to Sabes for getting this done so soon. Solid number 3 starter with the ability to start a big playoff game as well as a great clubhouse guy and leader for this young staff! So long as he avoids any freak accidents, he should be a solid bet for 190+ innings, a sub-4 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP with solid peripherals.
Comments
Still wish they woulda went all out for Garza, but that was a pipe dream... Wonder if they can afford a good left fielder now. Curtis Granderson would be nice!
We know we're not getting a valuable left fielder, they never do. Might as well put that money into the rotation and sign a cheap outfielder like Chris Young.