Hudson refutes report, says he wants to stay

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves pitcher Tim Hudson reiterated Wednesday that he's willing to accept a "hometown discount" to stay with the Braves, while refuting a report that he's planning to become a free agent and see what he can get on the open market.

A report on FoxSports.com, citing unnamed "major-league sources," said Hudson, "barring a last-minute, knockout offer from the Braves," planned to become a free agent.

"This makes me sound like I'm saying ‘Screw y'all, I'm out of here,' which isn't the case at all," Hudson told the Journal-Constitution. "I've said all along that Atlanta was the place I want to be and that I'm willing to give them a hometown discount.

"I just hope when we start talking, my idea of a hometown discount and their idea of a hometown discount isn't 5 or 8 million [dollars] apart. That's the only thing that could put a wrench in the whole thing."

The Braves have a mutual $12 million option on Hudson's contract for 2010, with a $1 million buyout. If they exercise the option, he has the right to veto it and become a free agent.

Hudson, 34, went 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven starts in September and October, after returning from a year-long recovery following ligament-transplant elbow surgery.  He's a former 20-game winner with a 148-78 career record.

Hudson and general manager Frank Wren, who are neighbors in Peachtree City, both said in the last month of the season that they were hopeful and optimistic about the chances of working out a contract extension that would presumably include a lower annual salary than $12 million.

But how much lower? The Braves haven't said what they are willing to offer, and haven't begun talks with Hudson. That's not unexpected.

The Braves made it clear they first wanted to get through this week's organizational meetings in Orlando before making a decision on the option and beginning any contract negotiations with Hudson, who said Tuesday he understood and hadn't expected talks to begin until then.

The Braves have until five days after the World Series to make a decision on Hudson's option, and if they pick it up, he has until 10 days after the World Series to decide whether to accept or decline.

Wren said Tuesday night that he would not comment on the Hudson situation or the FoxSports.com report.

Hudson said he has not even discussed the option possibility with his wife or agent, because he didn't think the Braves would exercise it. Rather, he has assumed all along they would either work out an extension or cut him loose.

While neither side has mentioned parameters of a possible extension, there are indications that a three-year deal worth $27 million to $30 million would keep Hudson with the Braves.

In a free-agent market with a dearth of quality starting pitchers, Hudson could likely command a larger guarantee than that.

"I'd rather do the extension than the option," he said. "If that [option] is something that happened, where they just want to do the option, that's another whole bag of worms that I haven't tackled yet, haven't talked to my agent or Kim [Hudson's wife] about….

"If I did go to free agency, there'd probably be more money out there on the free agent market. But that's the whole thing of working with Braves – I'm comfortable here, my family is comfortable here, I would be willing to take less to stay here."

The Hudsons are completing construction of a home in Auburn, where Hudson was an All-America college player for the Tigers. He's an Alabama native, though he was born in a Columbus, Ga. Hospital.

Hudson said the FoxSports.com by Ken Rosenthal on Tuesday probably stemmed from a conversation the pitcher had with a person that his agent put him in contact with. Hudson didn't say who that was.

"I think people are just wanting to know where we're at or where I'm leaning," he said. "But I think everybody understands this is the place I would want to be. At the same time, if both sides are so far apart, to where a deal can't get worked out, then obviously free agency is the next step."

Hudson quickly added that even if he files for free agency, that wouldn't prevent him from continuing negotiations with the Braves.

The free-agency filing period begins 15 days after the World Series.

The Braves have contractual control of ace Javier Vazquez through next season, along with Derek Lowe (he has three years and $45 million left on his contract) and Kenshin Kawaami (two years and about $15.5 million on his deal). Meanwhile, young stars Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson are considered to be starting rotation cornerstones.

To make room for Hudson, the Braves would presumably have to trade one of the other starters. That won't be easy with Lowe because of his large contract and mediocre first season with the Braves.

They are reluctant to trade Vazquez, because he was outstanding in 2009 and has a reasonable $11.5 million salary. But he would also be the one veteran among the group that could probably bring in a trade the power hitter the Braves seek this winter.