Daniel Hudson has been a key piece of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen this season as their only high-leverage reliever to not deal with an injury.
With Evan Phillips out, Hudson has taken over as one of the closing options for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Hudson was re-signed by the Dodgers in the offseason after the team declined his previous contract, which included a $6.5 million option. He debated retirement, but ultimately chose to continue playing, signing a Minor League deal.
Hudson’s contract is heavily weighted from an incentives standpoint, with several escalators tied to number of appearances as well as being on the Major League roster, per the Associated Press:
The 37-year-old right-hander gets a $2 million salary while assigned to the major leagues and $210,000 while assigned to the minors. He can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for games: $250,000 each for 50 and 55, and $500,000 for 60. Hudson also can get $1 million for games finished: $200,000 each for 40 and 45, and $300,000 apiece for 50 and 55.
Prior to this season, Hudson had posted a 3.31 ERA, 3.54 FIP and 1.13 WHIP across 73.1 innings.
Hudson’s 2024 campaign has the possibility for him to continue establishing himself as a key member of a talented bullpen. His experience in both low, and high leverage spots makes him a valued piece at the backend.
In a pinch, Hudson could close out games, and has done so at a high level in past seasons.
Daniel Hudson believes he owes it to the Dodgers to stay healthy
The up and down nature of his recent years within the organization have been marred with dueling knee injuries that ended any run of success he may have had.
Hudson explained that these bumps have made him uneasy, also lamenting that he feels a personal obligation to staying on the field and contributing in 2024. He noted that the Dodgers provided him with every tool to get healthy, allowing him to return to the diamond.
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