The White Sox announced that they have signed infielder Orlando Hudson to a one-year deal. The Padres released Hudson last Thursday afternoon and he agreed to terms with Chicago over the weekend.
The Legacy Sports Group client is expected to play some third base and back up Gordon Beckham at second base, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Hudson turned down an opportunity to play regularly elsewhere in order to join the White Sox in this role.
Hudson has struggled at the plate, posting a .211/.260/.317 line in 131 plate appearances so far this season. Once an elite fielder, Hudson has lost range and fielding ability in recent years, according to The Fielding Bible Volume III. This year the four-time Gold Glove winner has started 33 games at second base, the only position he's played at the MLB level.
Peter Gammons of MLB.com first reported the agreement (via Twitter). Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Oriole and Giants fans can breathe a sigh of relief.. Williams was the dolt…
Backup for Beckham and Morel who has a sore back, at a major league minimum. Haven’t seen you GM around these parts. Which team do you run again?
LOL. Funny. Duquette is the KING of signing has beens and trying to revive a career and he has a DIRE need of a utility IF. You KNOW that when he passes on someone on the surface that looks like a decent sign (Hudson) there is a BIG time problem.. hence the sigh of relief…
Hudson is a clubhouse problem who can’t produce with the bat and is an atrocious defender nowadays.. Williams might as well have signed Julio Lugo..
Yep…this O-Dawg has completely lost his bite
another GENIUS kenny williams acquisition..almost as good as Teahen!
Prorated major league minimum. Where’s the downside?
It’s true. If he cops an attitude, they can just cut him loose.
You guys can have him! Just think about it..he wasnt good enough to play for the Padres. Hes a clubhouse cancer and doesnt give it 100%. when he makes a crucial error or strikes out he will smile like he doesnt care.His range is bad too.
why can’t he smile. I mean it’s a game it’s suppose to be fun..
Almost tempting to listen to the next ChiSox game, if only to listen to how the Hawk will try and explain how Hudson will help this team and he’s some kind of “Wonder sign” by Williams..
Don’t get me wrong.. I always liked Harrelson, like from his playing days with Boston even, but his love-ness for Williams is enough to make you want to throw up all over ur tie.
Well I don’t expect much but if health has been a problem the White Sox are the right team for him. And yes they have had their share of successful pet projects. It’s the league minimum. There is no harm in this move.
It’s a shame he’s allowed to have a job broadcasting. Just completely terrible.
But anyway..Nice low risk move by Chicago.
Sad that Beckham hasn’t developed one bit at the plate. He is trade bait. Neither Beckham nor Hudson will be CWS 2nd basemen next season.
I’m going to believe this is the most far-fetched Don Cooper reclamation project yet.
Is he going to turn Hudson into a pitcher?
Apparently sarcasm escapes those on the east coast. Well played WCWS, well played.
Another one of those guys who provides “veteran leadership” only when the team is winning, and sulks when things aren’t going his way. Good luck I suppose.
yikes. Didnt realize that. Problematic if he turns out like O-Cab, or worse..Swishalicious
I don’t think that is possible, those two are the WORST.
Kenny Always gets his guy, I know I will eventually see Miguel Cabrera, Roy Halladay, and Chone Figgins in a white sox uniform if kenny is still the GM
Sure… if you use photo shop anything can happen! :p
I can’t say I’ve ever seen Cabrera, Halladay and Figgins in the same sentence.
Williams gets his bum, I mean man.
It couldn’t happen to a nicer GM and team.
There is a reason Hudson has played for so many teams and almost all on one year deals and its not because he is in so much demand.
This is pretty goofy what exactly do you expect to happen?
Called it! Look in his thread about being released !! Love how people are hating a low risk minor league signing.
I am glad the White Sox signed him. The Giants didn’t have him.
Hudson is about 35. At first glance, this signing may look like yet another Williams boner, but perhaps at 35 Hudson actually makes the Sox younger overall. 😉
This comment is about 3 seasons late.
I was strangely hoping the M’s would sign him…
Read an article that he’s going to play 3rd and be a backup at 2nd, despite never playing a game at 3b. This is a better option than Dallas McPherson or Conor Jackson?
I think those AAA guys are injured right now.
He came through the Blue Jays system at third base so it isn’t totally foreign to him
Could be a good signing, still leading the big leagues in triples after all.
“Orlando Hudson to sign with White Sox”, why not?
I watched O-dawg play almost every game for SD. He flat out sucked early in the season but was showing signs of improving at the plate just before his release. He is no longer an everyday player, his defensive range is gone, but he could help out a veteran club as a backup–worth a shot at minimum wage. His biggest problem was the SD fans who loathed his lackadasical approach and constant fraternizing with the opponents. Winning didn’t appear to be a priority for him and the fans (and his teammates) took notice.
one of the few worthwhile comments here. this is why it’s weird signing. the sox tend to stay away from these types of guys.
You pretty much summed it up. Perhaps he would be more useful as a DH. The first time Hudson gets nicked at third, he’ll go on the DL.
SADLY at .211 the ba is better than beckham’s .209.
and Morel’s putrid average (off the top of my head, I would say it .191)
And he’s leading the majors in triples. I’m so confused.
If you don’t have the very worst farm system in baseball, you don’t have to make these kinds of desperate moves. The Sox need a real GM.
Funny we have a bunch of guys from our farm system excelling this year..
Viciedo
De Aza
Addison Reed
Nate Jones
Santiago
Flowers has done well in very limited action
I think you and I have a different definition of “excelling”.
Well Nate Jones has an ERA under 2
De AZA is batting .290 and has done a nexcellent job getting on base
Viciedo is till developing but has nearly as many homeruns as Konerko
Addison reed has locked down our closing role
So I guess you need a dictionary
You are correct. vtadave is a Cubs fan. Thank god we have six with the Cubs. They are leave a lot to be desired. To say it in a nice way.
Cubs fan? No thanks. Jones, Reed, and De Aza have been fine.
Santiago sure did a great job as the closer though.
Flowers has one good game and now he’s doing well?
Viciedo has had a nice run recently, but a sub-.800 OPS and 33:3 K:BB from a corner OF isn’t exactly “excelling”.
Addison Reed has locked down our closer role? You sir are the “meister” of small sample size.