The Diamondbacks are close to a new contract with Daniel Hudson, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. Hudson is believed to want a deal that would guaranteed him a spot on the 40-man roster, though he is expected to be sidelined for possibly the entire 2014 season as he recovers from two Tommy John surgeries.
Hudson was non-tendered by the D'Backs earlier this month though there was mutual interest on both sides in working out a new deal. The right-hander posted a 3.19 ERA, 3.1 K/BB and 7.2 K/9 over his first 336 Major League innings from 2009-11 and looked to be one of the game's up-and-coming young pitchers before he fell victim to injuries. Hudson's last Major League pitch came on June 26, 2012 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and then had to undergo a second procedure after reinjuring his elbow last June.
The D'Backs are also expected to sign veteran catcher Henry Blanco to a minor league deal with an invitation to the Major League Spring Training camp, Piecoro reports. Blanco, 42, will return to Arizona after playing with the team as a backup in 2011-12. Blanco posted a .474 OPS in 150 PA with the Mariners and Blue Jays in 2013 and MLBTR's Tim Dierkes recently reported that Blanco is looking to play for one final season.
I forgot the D-backs even had Daniel Hudson
Same here, I remember that Showtime (I think?) reality show on The White Sox a few years ago and the episode when Kenny Williams traded him to AZ as part of the Edwin Jackson trade.
I’m going to be the guy to point out that Henry Blanco hit 3 HRs with Seattle last season, 2 of which were grand slams.
I love Henry Blanco
I think Hank White gets NRIs for the rest of his life. He’s 42 now, but I’ll bet ya he’s in camp somewhere in 20 years. He won’t go away.
A great move by the D-backs to sign Hank White this year — They get a solid backup C, a great teacher, a great teammate, and a strong veteran presence… most importantly, they get the inside track on getting him as a coach/manager in their system next season.
I don’t know how I feel about making Blanco a part of the team again. In 2011 when he played in the last Divison series game he pretty much cost us it.