Thursday, December 16, 2004
Hudson Traded to the Braves
Braves trade Thomas, Cruz for Tim Hudson
By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/16/04
The Braves got their man Thursday, finalizing a trade for Oakland Athletics ace Tim Hudson to give Atlanta what figures to be one of the best starting rotations in baseball.
Atlanta gave up plenty, sending top left-handed prospect Dan Meyer, outfielder Charles Thomas and right-hander Juan Cruz to the Athletics in the deal expected to be announced after 5 p.m.
But they got a bona fide ace who's just entering his prime to pair with John Smoltz at the top of the rotation. Smoltz is moving back from the bullpen after three seasons as closer, and the Braves also have right-hander John Thomson and lefties Mike Hampton and Horacio Ramirez under contract.
Hudson, 29, has a 92-39 record and 3.30 ERA in six major league seasons, a .702 winning percentage that ranks third all-time among pitchers with at least 100 decisions.
The two-time All-Star is Oakland's career leader with a .702 winning percentage, and had four straight years with at least 15 wins and 200 innings before finishing 12-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 188 2/3 innings in 2004, when he was slowed by a sore hip.
The Columbus native and former Auburn standout is owed $6.75 million in 2005, after which he's eligible for free agency.
The Braves entered negotiations hoping that Hudson, who's expressed a desire to pitch in Atlanta, would be signable to a long-term extension and not just a one-year rental, as right fielder J.D. Drew ended up being last season. ¶ 12/16/2004 05:19:00 PM
By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/16/04
The Braves got their man Thursday, finalizing a trade for Oakland Athletics ace Tim Hudson to give Atlanta what figures to be one of the best starting rotations in baseball.
Atlanta gave up plenty, sending top left-handed prospect Dan Meyer, outfielder Charles Thomas and right-hander Juan Cruz to the Athletics in the deal expected to be announced after 5 p.m.
But they got a bona fide ace who's just entering his prime to pair with John Smoltz at the top of the rotation. Smoltz is moving back from the bullpen after three seasons as closer, and the Braves also have right-hander John Thomson and lefties Mike Hampton and Horacio Ramirez under contract.
Hudson, 29, has a 92-39 record and 3.30 ERA in six major league seasons, a .702 winning percentage that ranks third all-time among pitchers with at least 100 decisions.
The two-time All-Star is Oakland's career leader with a .702 winning percentage, and had four straight years with at least 15 wins and 200 innings before finishing 12-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 188 2/3 innings in 2004, when he was slowed by a sore hip.
The Columbus native and former Auburn standout is owed $6.75 million in 2005, after which he's eligible for free agency.
The Braves entered negotiations hoping that Hudson, who's expressed a desire to pitch in Atlanta, would be signable to a long-term extension and not just a one-year rental, as right fielder J.D. Drew ended up being last season. ¶ 12/16/2004 05:19:00 PM
