The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the offseason with a question marks in their bullpen as Kenley Jansen and Corey Knebel were among the notable players to reach free agency. Joe Kelly later joined the group after his $12 million team option for the 2022 season was declined in favor of a $4 million buyout.
Knebel has since signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, while Jansen and Kelly remain on the open market. One or both players may very well return to the Dodgers, but any potential deals will have to wait until the MLB lockout is lifted by a new collective bargaining agreement.
The Dodgers nevertheless bolstered their relief corps before the work stoppage by signing Daniel Hudson to a one-year contract. It marks a reunion as the right-hander previously pitched for the club during the 2018 season.
According to the Associated Press, Hudson’s contract with the Dodgers includes a $6.5 million team option for the 2023 season and a $1 million buyout:
He gets a $6 million salary next season, and the Dodgers have a $6.5 million option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout.
Hudson combined to go 5-3 with a 3.31 ERA, 3.21 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 54 games for the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres this past season.
When the Dodgers were attempting to complete a trade for Max Scherzer at the deadline, they reportedly tried expanding the deal to include Hudson as well. Trea Turner wound up being packaged with the future Hall of Famer, and the Nationals traded Hudson to the Padres.
Hudson posted a 3-2 record, 4.11 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his only season with the Dodgers in 2018. He missed the final six weeks that year due to a second brush with right forearm tightness.
Hudson went on to sign a Minor League contract with the L.A. Angels that ensuing offseason, but was released prior to Opening Day. He then signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, who traded him to the Nationals that July.
Hudson posted a 1.44 ERA in 24 regular season appearances for Washington and emerged as a key contributor during the postseason. He closed out the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2019 National League Division Series and did the same to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the World Series.
Dodgers’ moves in free agency
Prior to reuniting with Hudson, the Dodgers’ only other move in free agency was signing Andrew Heaney to a one-year contract. Of course, L.A. has since finalized a four-year contract with Chris Taylor as well.
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