Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Tim Hudson on Monday. Hudson and the Giants agreed to a a two-year, $23 million contract. Although the season-ending injury to the veteran in 2013 may be a concern, the Giants have made the signing of the offseason so far.
Out of the aging, veteran right-handers of the group, which also include Bartolo Colon, Roy Halladay, Dan Haren, and Ryan Vogelsong, Hudson has been having the most success toward the end of his career. Before his season-ending injury with the Braves, Hudson had three straight seasons of 15-plus wins and his ERA has been near the 3.50 mark for the most part.
Hudson will join a rotation that includes Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum and Yusmeiro Petit. The Giants also have developing pitchers making waves in the minors in Kyle Crick and Clayton Blackburn. San Francisco’s rotation is strong, and it will need another pitcher or an offensive threat to put itself in better contention in the NL West.
Hudson can still go out and win the Giants 15-plus games and pitch well while doing so. He is going to be an integral part of the playoff push the Giants will be searching for next season. The NL West has gotten even tougher and will be interesting to watch next season.
