Braves Face Hard Hudson Choices

Braves Face Hard Hudson Choices

The Braves appear to have a better chance of keeping Tim Hudson than they did outfielder J.D. Drew, but signing the right-hander to a long-term deal certainly won't be easy. That's obvious from the contracts that free agent starting pitchers have received this winter. Hudson has a much better track record than Carl Pavano, who received a $40 million, four-year deal from the New York Yankees, and is much less of a risk than Pedro Martinez, who received $53 million over four seasons from the New York Mets. Even pitchers like Brad Radke, Matt Clement, Eric Milton and Russ Ortiz got contracts paying more than $8 million annually. That means the 29-year-old Hudson, who had a stunning 92-39 career record with Oakland, likely warrants a long-term deal worth about $12 million annually.

It won't be easy to fit that into the Braves' payroll, however, especially with what they will be forced to pay Mike Hampton after next season. The left-hander is owed $43 million in 2006-2008. Still, can the Braves afford not to re-sign Hudson? He could be the key to not only a 14th consecutive division title next season, but continued success as well. Hudson, who will be a relative bargain in 2005 at $6.75 million, was born in Columbus and grew up as a Braves fan. "This is a dream come true for me and my family," the former Auburn University standout said after being introduced as a Brave last month. Money, however, seems to be what really counts in baseball. Being from Georgia certainly didn't mean that Drew, who got a $55 million, five-year deal from Los Angeles thanks to agent Scott Boras, was willing to cut the Braves a break. "If it's only one year, it's one year," Braves manager Bobby Cox said about having Hudson in his rotation. "But it'd be better to have him five years."

No kidding. It's just ridiculous that the Braves, owned by Time Warner, is trying to get by on a poor team's budget. Having to reshuffle the roster every year and giving away its best players to the teams willing to spend what it takes to win every season is no way to a championship. It's amazing that Cox and Shuerholtz have managed to do it so long now.