Dodgers sign RHP Hudson to one-year deal
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LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers and right-handed reliever Daniel Hudson finalized a reunion when the free agent signed a one-year deal Tuesday. A source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the contract is worth about $7 million.
Hudson, who will turn 35 on March 9, pitched for the Dodgers in 2018, posting a 4.11 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 40 appearances while striking out 44 in 46 innings. A 12-year veteran, Hudson began his career as a starter, but has spent the past eight seasons working primarily as a reliever, during which he has a 4.03 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 392 games. He became a World Series champion in 2019, recording the final out in Game 7 against the Astros in Houston to seal it for the Nationals.
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Hudson had an excellent first half of 2021 with Washington (2.20 ERA), then struggled upon being dealt to the Padres at the Trade Deadline (5.21). Overall, though, he posted the best strikeout rate (35.7 percent) of his career last season, while his 7.6 percent walk rate was his lowest since converting to relief. He also excelled at inducing soft contact, with a barrel rate in the second percentile among Major League pitchers.
The Dodgers’ bullpen was one of the best in baseball in 2021, but a number of its core members are currently free agents, including closer Kenley Jansen and right-handers Joe Kelly, Corey Knebel and Jimmy Nelson. Hudson makes sense for one of those right-handed middle relief slots.
Hudson is the Dodgers’ second free-agent signing of the offseason. They previously signed left-hander Andrew Heaney to a one-year, $8.5 million contract.