KEY POINTS
- The Dodgers fill in roster gaps with the impending signing of Daniel Hudson
- Hudson is expected to give the Dodgers some veteran presence on the field
- He is likely to fill in the spot vacated by Andrew Velasquez
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly come to terms with a familiar face in Daniel Hudson, who agreed to a one-year deal worth around $7 million.
The 34-year-old, who previously played for the Dodgers in 2018, will give Los Angeles some experienced veteran option once the deal is made official.
The move makes up for the loss of Corey Seager and Max Scherzer who has moved over to the Texas Rangers and New York Mets respectively, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Aside from that, it provides the Dodgers expanded options with Joe Kelly and Corey Kebel being both unsigned free agents.
The deal was reported just hours away before an anticipated Major League Baseball lockout last Monday, November 29.
The collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on Wednesday, December 1, at 11:59 pm ET.
Last season, Hudson played for the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. He recorded a 3.31 earned-run average and struck out 13.1 batters per nine innings in 54 appearances between the two teams.
His move to the Padres at the MLB trade deadline failed to reap dividends. He struggled with a 5.21 ERA in 19 innings over 23 games as San Diego sputtered down the stretch.
In his last stint with the Dodgers, Hudson had a 4.11 ERA in 40 games. However, he enjoyed a breakout year in 2019 with the Toronto Blue Jays, the same year the team won the World Series.
With an improved game, Hudson is expected to help the Dodgers in closing games.
So far, only Blake Treinen is around to pick up from where free agent Kenley Jansen left off.
Daniel Hudson #18 of the San Diego Padres Photo: Getty Images | Denis Poroy
Aside from Hudson, the Dodgers have reportedly also tendered contracts to arbitration-eligible players. That list includes Cody Bellinger, Julio Urias, Trea Turner and Caleb Ferguson as Los Angeles works on its 40-man roster, the Daily News reported.
Andrew Velasquez headed to free agency, clearing a spot that will likely be filled by Hudson once the deal is made official.
