Could losing bidding wars with the Los Angeles Dodgers for Japanese superstars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani help the Boston Red Sox?
They should have bid more than their competitors on the West Coast, but at least a consolation reward could be in order.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers designated Bryan Hudson, a left-hander, for assignment in order to create space on the 40-man roster for Yamamoto.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers designated Bryan Hudson, a left-hander, for assignment in order to create space on the 40-man roster for Yamamoto.
The Dodgers did not intend to split ways with Hudson, but they had to let him go in order to make room for their inflow of talent this winter. Hudson is 26 years old.
Despite not faring well in his brief big-league trip last season (seven earned runs over 8 2/3 innings), the 6-foot-8, 220-pound pitcher was a formidable force overall.
Throughout 46 appearances (eight starts) and 55 2/3 innings, Hudson recorded a 2.43 ERA, 86-to-26 strikeout-to-walk ratio,.221 batting average against, and 1.31 WHIP for Triple-A Oklahoma City in the previous season.
The Red Sox would be happy to add the southpaw as they look to enhance their pitching staff with both depth and elite quality. Hudson belongs in the latter category.
Hudson has a big physique, but last season, he only averaged 92 mph with a cutter and slider.
The young talent may not continue to rise, but it would still be worthwhile to make a claim for him. Boston would only need to have the highest waiver priority in exchange for Los Angeles receiving nothing in exchange for his services.
It would be prudent for Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow to take a player off of the finest 40-man roster in MLB.