Hudson, Twins agree to $5M, 1-year contract

[February 05, 2010]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Second baseman Orlando Hudson and the Minnesota Twins agreed Thursday night to a $5 million, one-year contract.

Hudson gives the Twins a veteran at the top of the batting order with a .282 career average and four Gold Glove awards. He played in his second All-Star game last season, his only year with the Los Angeles Dodgers after four with the Toronto Blue Jays and three with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He'll form an all-new double-play tandem for the Twins with shortstop J.J. Hardy, who came in an earlier offseason trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. The 32-year-old Hudson batted .283 with 35 doubles, six triples, nine homers and 62 RBIs in 551 at-bats for the Dodgers last year.

As part of the contract, Minnesota agreed not to offer salary arbitration next fall if Hudson becomes a Type A free agent.

[Associated Press; By DAVE CAMPBELL]

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