Braves expected to announce Hudson deal soon

Sporting News staff reports After the conclusion of the World Series, the Braves are expected to announce they have agreed to a three-year contract extension with righthander Tim Hudson, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Hudson returned from Tommy John surgery late this season, going 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven September starts. In five seasons with Atlanta, he is 56-39 with a 3.77 ERA in 128 games (127 starts). Hudson's return will give Atlanta six starting pitchers -- Javier Vazquez, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Kenshin Kawakami are the others -- for five rotation spots. With a need for more offense, one of the team's starters figures to be dealt this offseason. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution speculated the Braves would prefer to trade Lowe, but his big contract will make that tough. Coming off a strong season (15-10, 2.87 ERA), Vazquez likely would bring the most in return.