At the beginning of the offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers faced contract decisions on Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn, Max Muncy, Alex Reyes and Blake Treinen.
All six players needed to have their respective option for the 2024 season either declined or picked up by a November 6 deadline. The Dodgers got ahead of that with Muncy by signing him to a two-year contract extension that runs through 2025. Muncy’s deal includes a $10 million team option for 2026 as well.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers otherwise only exercised their option on Treinen. That amounted to Hudson, Kelly, Lynn and Reyes each becoming a free agent last month.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Dodgers have now re-signed Hudson to a Minor League contract:
Right-handed reliever Daniel Hudson and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a minor league contract, sources tell ESPN. Hudson, 36, missed most of last season with knee injuries and will earn $2 million if he makes the team, up to $2 million more in performance bonuses.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 13, 2023
By re-signing Hudson to a Minor League deal, which presumably includes a non-roster invite to 2024 Spring Training, the Dodgers keep the veteran relief pitcher as part of the organization without needing to free up a spot on their 40-man roster.
The Dodgers’ roster currently is full, as Victor González and Jorbit Vivas were traded to the New York Yankees in order to create room for the signings of Shohei Ohtani and Joe Kelly. But if Hudson is to make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, they would first need to place him on their 40-man.
Among players who had options for 2024, now the tally is Hudson, Kelly, Muncy and Treinen still being part of the Dodgers organization.
Daniel Hudson considered retiring
After failing to make his way back from an MCL sprain in his right knee, Hudson gave some consideration to the 2023 season being his last. The 36-year-old has decided against retirement, at least for now, and should be healthy upon reporting to Camelback Ranch in February.
Over parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, Hudson is 5-5 with six saves, a 3.31 ERA, 3.54 FIP and 1.13 WHIP across 73.1 innings pitched in 68 appearances.
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