The Red Sox are among several teams to have checked in on veteran starter Tim Hudson. While Boston is said to be a big admirer of the right-hander, it's still a little hard to imagine the loyal Hudson leaving the Braves.
Hudson is drawing significant interest from around the league (MLB.com reported the Indians and Royals, too), but Boston's interest is intriguing, and maybe even to Hudson, who just saw the Red Sox win the World Series. One person familiar with the champs' thinking said, "They really want him."
Of course, Boston is already very well-stocked with starting pitching, having just won with six guys manning five spots. The Red Sox have to do something to make room for Hudson if they could make a deal with him.
Hudson has loyally stayed with the Braves for nine years, sometimes on under-market contracts. They like him now as a prized veteran in a surprisingly young clubhouse.
Hudson, 38, made $9 million last year when he went 8-7 with a 3.97 ERA before suffering a broken ankle in a gruesome play at the Mets' Citi Field in late July. He is expected to recover but the Braves declined to extend the $14.1 million qualifying offer to him.
