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Updated: Mar. 1, 2005, 11:19 AM ETHudson's extension at least three more seasons
Associated Press
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Atlanta Braves completed a contract extension with Tim Hudson on Tuesday, locking up a former 20-game winner who could have become a free agent at the end of the season.
Tim Hudson
Starting Pitcher
Atlanta Braves
Profile
2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L Sv K ERA
27 12 6 0 103 3.53
"It feels good to get it done,'' Hudson said, sitting at his locker before a spring training workout.
The Braves planned to discuss the extension at an afternoon news conference. Hudson was expected to get at least three more guaranteed years, at an average salary of about $11 million. The 29-year-old right-hander will make $6.75 million this year.
Atlanta has secured the top two spots in its rotation for at least two more seasons. John Smoltz, another former 20-game winner, worked out a new $20 million deal that will keep him Atlanta through at least 2006.
Smoltz was ecstatic to hear about Hudson's contract extension.
"You're talking to a guy who has seen so many guys have to go for the same reason that Tim Hudson would have had to go -- because they never got it done before his year was up,'' Smoltz said. "This is good.''
Hudson, who has a career record of 92-39, was acquired from Oakland during the offseason. The budget-conscious A's didn't feel they could afford the pitcher and didn't want to lose him as a free agent.
Last season, Hudson went 12-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 27 starts, but spent a month on the disabled list with an injury to his left side.
Even before he was traded by the A's, Hudson set a March 1 deadline for discussing a contract extension because he didn't want to talk money during the season. The Braves announced the extension at the deadline, but negotiations were cordial and both sides had made it clear for days a deal was imminent.
"Details,'' general manager John Schuerholz said as he walked through the clubhouse.
While Hudson probably would have earned more money on the free-agent market, he was eager to remain with a team that has won 13 straight division titles.
He grew up near Columbus, Ga., rooting for the Braves. Even before the trade, he was planning to build a home in Auburn, Ala., about a two-hour drive from Atlanta. His parents already live in Auburn.
"It's a winning organization with a history of great pitching and a great coaching staff,'' Hudson said last week. "It's a great situation. What other organization can say they've had a chance to win the World Series the last 13 years? That's pretty remarkable.
"Plus, I have a lot of friends and family ties. That's going to be a good situation.''
