Major League Baseball

Source: Padres reach deal with Hudson

Published Dec. 17, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

The O-Dog will be barking at Petco Park.

Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson has reached agreement with the Padres on a two-year, $11.5 million contract, according to a major-league source.

The deal will become official after Hudson passes a physical, the source said.

Hudson, 33, announced on MLB Network Radio on Friday that he will be joining the Padres, saying, "Great place. Great atmosphere. Unbelievable ballpark."

The Padres will be Hudson's fourth team in the past four seasons. He spent last season with the Twins, batting .268/.338/.372 and missing time with wrist and oblique injuries.

His defense surely appeals to the Padres; Hudson won four Gold Gloves between 2005 and '09, and again rated among the top defenders at second in several advanced ratings systems last season.

Offensively, Hudson has not fared as well. His OPS over the past three seasons has declined from .817 to .774 to .710.

Hudson, a switch-hitter, also has played for two other NL West clubs, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers.
 

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