Orlando Hudson?

[BuckyBrewer61]

What kind of money does Hudson figure to make this offseason? He hits for average, gets on base, and defends well. Plus, he's a switch hitter. Sounds like the kind of guy I'd like at 2B and at the top of the order. Can anyone shine some light on him for me?

[trwi7]

You pretty much are right on in your assessment. As for money, probably 4 years $40 million.

[kramnoj]

2B don't seem to be compensated all that well, for the most part. It's a demanding position to play, and players careers end there earlier than any position but C, usually. Outfielders that have his talent get over $10M per for 4-5 years. It really depends on which teams need a 2B and how much they want to fill that need vs their other needs.

[PeaveyFury]

Hudson would seemingly be a good target if we're determined to upgrade 2B and spend money in free agency. He'd probably make more than Roberts and cost us a first rounder, but he definitely would fit nicely into our lineup.

[jimmyb1799]

I'd love to have O-Dog at the top of our lineup. It would then let Doug Melvin go and shop Rickie Weeks + someone like TGJ for a #2 pitcher.

[endaround]

The Mets have a worse 2B hole than basically any team and are moving into a new stadium. I expect Hudson in New York by mid November.

[Never Outhustled]

Hudson was very good the last 2 years, but thats not what we'd be buying. He'll be 31 next year, and his highest OPS of his career is 817. We'd be paying big money for a player declining into average, and worse. I'll let someone else make that bad investment. Its very possible Weeks will have a higher OPS the next couple of years, and we won't pay him as much, we won't have to surrender a 1st round pick to get him, and we won't still be on the hook for him in 2011-2012, when Hudson would be 33-34.

[PeaveyFury]

Its very possible Weeks will have a higher OPS the next couple of years, and we won't pay him as much, we won't have to surrender a 1st round pick to get him, and we won't still be on the hook for him in 2011-2012, when Hudson would be 33-34.

 

There also has to be some concern about a player who has speed as one of his big assets coming back from a torn meniscus as well, though. How long is the recovery time, and how much (if any) speed will he lose as a result?

 

And also on the injury front, Hudson's 407 AB's this year were his lowest in his career since he broke into the bigs for a partial year his rookie season. Weeks has only surpassed 407 AB's once in his career. It is certainly possible that Weeks has a higher OPS in 2009 or 2010, but how much of a difference in OPS is it from a guy like Hudson to Counsell for 100-200 AB's as well?