Hudson to the Dodgers

[FArting]

Orlando Hudson has a new home.
We just heard from a source that the former Diamondbacks second baseman is headed to the Dodgers.
We don’t have any other details, but it sounds like if it isn’t already a done deal, it’s very close to it.
The Diamondbacks will probably be torn on this news. On the one hand, he’s going to a division rival. On the other, they’re getting a premium draft pick from the Dodgers (No. 17 overall).

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/46693

 

[PoolBoy]

damn. thats huge.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Terrible news...I think this team will really miss Hudson, and to have him go to a division rival?

 

[Mulli]

he is okay, but overrated. No big deal.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

he is okay, but overrated. No big deal.

Overrated? Huh? I dare you to find me a better defensive 2nd baseman, let alone one who can hit like Hudson can. Webb, Haren and all the other ground ball pitchers on this staff are sure to miss Hudson. One of the biggest mistakes by the current FO was extending sideshow Byrnes over Hudson.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Overrated? Huh? I dare you to find me a better defensive 2nd baseman, let alone one who can hit like Hudson can.

Um, Chase Utley? Brandon Phillips? Dustin Pedroia?

Webb, Haren and all the other ground ball pitchers on this staff are sure to miss Hudson. One of the biggest mistakes by the current FO was extending sideshow Byrnes over Hudson.

Obviously extending Byrnes was a colossal mistake, Carlos Quentin's 2008 campaign showed us that and then some. But Orlando Hudson is overrated. Every metric shows O-Dog's defense is average at best and that he's only a offensive threat in hitter's parks.

 

[Mulli]

Um, Chase Utley? Brandon Phillips? Dustin Pedroia?


Obviously extending Byrnes was a colossal mistake, Carlos Quentin's 2008 campaign showed us that and then some. But Orlando Hudson is overrated. Every metric shows O-Dog's defense is average at best and that he's only a offensive threat in hitter's parks.

Thank you.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Um, Chase Utley? Brandon Phillips? Dustin Pedroia?


Obviously extending Byrnes was a colossal mistake, Carlos Quentin's 2008 campaign showed us that and then some. But Orlando Hudson is overrated. Every metric shows O-Dog's defense is average at best and that he's only a offensive threat in hitter's parks.

Well, if your standard is MVP caliber 2nd basemen, then I think everyone can agree he isn't an MVP level player. Having said that, I think he is regarded as an all star 2nd baseman, and I think that is more than justified.

"Every metric shows O-Dog's defense is average at best"

Now the hyperbole is getting out of control...for having watched Hudson consistently over the last couple years, I find it impossible to believe that anyone could make a claim that his defense is "average at best".

The D-Backs certainly have never had a middle infielder nearly as good defensively as Hudson. Give me whatever stats you want, I know how heavily stat oriented baseball is, but Hudson more than passes the eye test. At least once a week he would make an unbelievable play that would end an inning or stop a threat. I think you're selling O-Dog way short.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Well, if your standard is MVP caliber 2nd basemen, then I think everyone can agree he isn't an MVP level player. Having said that, I think he is regarded as an all star 2nd baseman, and I think that is more than justified.

You said find a better defensive 2B in the game that can hit like Hudson and I did. If you had said find a better second or third-tier second basemen that are better than Hudson I would've brought up guys like Placido Polanco and Howie Kendrick.

"Every metric shows O-Dog's defense is average at best"

Now the hyperbole is getting out of control...for having watched Hudson consistently over the last couple years, I find it impossible to believe that anyone could make a claim that his defense is "average at best".

That's what the numbers say, bring it up with the math geeks not me.

The D-Backs certainly have never had a middle infielder nearly as good defensively as Hudson. Give me whatever stats you want, I know how heavily stat oriented baseball is, but Hudson more than passes the eye test. At least once a week he would make an unbelievable play that would end an inning or stop a threat. I think you're selling O-Dog way short.

I think part of the Orlando Hudson love-fest is novice fans mistaking activity for achievement, something John Wooden says is a big no-no and a mistake we made with FSN AZ's biggest buffoon Eric Byrnes. Are Hudson's plays really that amazing or is he a step slow(or made a bad read off the bat or broke late) and was forced to dive on a play that an average fielder would have made routinely?

 

[PDXChris]

He will miss at least 50 games.

 

[PoolBoy]

saying Orlando's defense is average is ignorant. we are going to miss him without a doubt. he was clutch, and had a good On base percentage.

 

[TJ]

Double whammy....losing O-Dogg and having him go to the dodgers....

 

[Ryanwb]

Hudson will miss half the season but still win a gold glove. What did Orlando really accomplish in Arizona? At least Richie Sexton caused part of the jumbotron to get replaced and he only played like 21 games here

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

From AZCentral: "
From what we understand, before the 2008 season, the Diamondbacks offered Hudson a four-year deal worth about $29 million. It would have been for roughly $5 million in ’08 and $24 million for the next three years -- his first three free-agent years.

Apparently, Hudson responded with a huge counteroffer, a deal so unrealistic that it actually upset people with the Diamondbacks. Hudson wound up avoiding arbitration in 2008 with a $6.25 million deal, and you know how his offseason unfolded.

...

Hudson we already discussed, and we’re told the idea of a two-year, $20 million deal was floated for Dunn before the Diamondbacks declined to offer him arbitration in December. We heard Dunn’s camp turned it down pretty quickly."


http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/46739


Ouch, guess you can't blame the Diamondbacks for not trying.

 

[PoolBoy]

Hudson will miss half the season but still win a gold glove. What did Orlando really accomplish in Arizona? At least Richie Sexton caused part of the jumbotron to get replaced and he only played like 21 games here

are you high? did you just compare hudsons tenure with the dbacks to RICHIE "HURT TWICE ON CHECK-SWINGS" SEXSON? REALLY?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

saying Orlando's defense is average is ignorant.

Again, talk to the stat geeks whose metrics almost universally point out that Hudson's defense is overrated.

we are going to miss him without a doubt. he was clutch, and had a good On base percentage.

I'll think we'll miss his clubhouse presence, but he only really hit at home.

 

[hafey]

Hudson is a nice player, but not a difference maker. The club rightfully decided not to overpay him after offering a very fair contract extension.

I am very happy the Diamondbacks are getting such a high pick for Hudson. Fantastic development.

 

[overseascardfan]

I thought we get 2 draft picks for Hudson. We get #17 put I believe we get a compensatory pick between Round 1 & 2.

I hope LA doesn't get Manny because a healthy Furcal, Hudson and Manny would be a potent top of the order. Hopefully SF can snatch Manny away from LA.

 

[PoolBoy]

Again, talk to the stat geeks whose metrics almost universally point out that Hudson's defense is overrated.


I'll think we'll miss his clubhouse presence, but he only really hit at home.

you sound like andrew over at the suns board with your continuous repetition of one phrase. Obviously you are hanging out with stat geeks all the time. The reason we didn't make the World Series 2 years ago and the playoffs last year was arguably because of Orlando Hudson's absence. IMO he was our most consistant and SMART hitter minus MAYBE co-jack.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

you sound like andrew over at the suns board with your continuous repetition of one phrase. Obviously you are hanging out with stat geeks all the time.

Not really, but I do occasionally read their stuff. I can guarantee it's better than the scouting reports you provide from the comfort of your sofa. EVERY statistical measure points to Hudson being an overrated defensive player. Are we to believe you and Chris or the hundreds of people who get paid millions every year to study this kind of thing?

The reason we didn't make the World Series 2 years ago and the playoffs last year was arguably because of Orlando Hudson's absence. IMO he was our most consistant and SMART hitter minus MAYBE co-jack.

Yeah, "consistent" is exactly the word I think of when looking at a player whose OPS is 170 points lower on the road than at home.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I was pretty disappointed in this development ( i thought we could have kept him for 3.4 mill) but we got the #17 pick? Seriously?

Thats great news. Doesn't that gives us like 3 of the top 35 picks? That can help restock a farm system real fast if you hit on 2 of the 3.

 

[PoolBoy]

Not really, but I do occasionally read their stuff. I can guarantee it's better than the scouting reports you provide from the comfort of your sofa. EVERY statistical measure points to Hudson being an overrated defensive player. Are we to believe you and Chris or the hundreds of people who get paid millions every year to study this kind of thing?


Yeah, "consistent" is exactly the word I think of when looking at a player whose OPS is 170 points lower on the road than at home.

you're the one thats bringing up the millionaire statisticians numbers. I'm glad we won't miss Hudson, and that Felipe Lopez will be the field eater at 2B that Hudson wasn't.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Are we to believe you and Chris or the hundreds of people who get paid millions every year to study this kind of thing?

I love your argument, the experts are always right. Statistical analysis is in general a very effective tool but is notoriously difficult to do for defense. That's all you're bringing to the table, an appeal to stats.

Let's ignore the fact Hudson is one of six who have won the gold glove in both leagues, and has won three total gold gloves. What do coaches and managers know when they vote for gold gloves? Not much apparently. I'll take the opinion of those who actually watch the game as opposed to those chained to only stats.

 

[BC867]

Orlando Hudson was mis-used as a #3 hitter in Phoenix. Joe Torre intends to use him properly, batting second behind Furcal. Two switch-hitting speedsters as the the bread-and-butter hitters for the heart of the Dodgers batting order.

But Hudson's presence at 2B played a significant role in Brandon Webb's superior pitching. A groundball pitcher is not afraid to let it rip with a 3-time Gold Glover behind him.

And, yes, it was a horrible mistake to let the O-Dawg go and keep Mr. Uppercut/Somersault, Eric Byrnes. Why? Because he had an adolescent TV show?

Josh Brynes is a good GM. But not this time.

 

[Ryanwb]

are you high? did you just compare hudsons tenure with the dbacks to RICHIE "HURT TWICE ON CHECK-SWINGS" SEXSON? REALLY?

Yes Einstein, you caught me