Joe Christensen adds some rumblings:

One baseball source told me he heard Hudson’s choices were down to Cleveland and the Twins, and that the Indians were actually offering more money. We have not confirmed Cleveland’s interest, and the fact the Indians would offer more money than the Twins is surprising because Cleveland has appeared cash-strapped all offseason.

I agree that it makes little sense for the Indians, in full rebuilding mode, to offer significant money to Hudson on a one-year deal.  One possibility is they’d plan to flip Hudson for prospect(s) to a contender at the trade deadline.  But that seems like a lot of money to gamble on a move like that.

More likely, my guess is the Indians are trying to drive up the price for the Hudson (just like they did w/ Carl Pavano earlier in the offseason).

On a one-year deal, 38-year-old Hudson’s main concern on the surface would seem to be putting up good stats for next offseason.  I don’t think there’s a better slot in all of MLB for that than the 2-hole in the Twins’ lineup.

—-

Original Post: 1:00pm 2/4/2010

MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has posted multiple tweets claiming Orlando Hudson will not be going to the Washington Nationals.  That leaves the Twins as the clear front-runner:

The baseball source told me that a deal is almost done between 2B Orlando Hudson and the #Twins.

I just learned from a baseball source that 2B Orlando Hudson will not play for the #Nats. He most likely will play for the Twins.

FoxSports.com also has some info:

 The Twins have intensified their pursuit of free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, one major league source told FOXSports.com on Thursday morning.

Minnesota general manager Bill Smith declined to comment Thursday when asked if he is optimistic about his chances of adding a free agent this week.

Hudson is asking for at least $6 million on a one-year deal, a separate source said. He is likely to agree to terms on a new contract this week.

Filed under: Free Agents, orlando hudson