10/17 Odds & Ends: Hudson in Atlanta, McCann’s Surgery, Winter League Notes

October 17, 2012 at 12:53 pm by David Lee under Atlanta Braves

Tim Hudson wants to remain a Brave for the rest of his career. Hudson’s $9 million option for 2013 will almost certainly be picked up, but it’s beyond next year that’s in question.

I wrote the following in response to a Dave Cameron blurb on ESPN questioning picking up Hudson’s option:

“Hudson’s velocity has dropped slightly this year, but his contact rates haven’t changed, and he isn’t benefiting from BABIP any more than usual. He’s also allowing fewer home runs than his career average, and his FIP is identical to his career mark.

Will Hudson decline? Of course. He’s 37 years old. But to throw up red flags based on a slight drop in velocity and swinging strike rate for a pitcher who relies on completely different factors to succeed isn’t how you go about determining his decline.”

As I said, the Braves will almost certainly pick up Hudson’s option, but what he is worth after that is a pretty big question. It’s tough to consider more than a couple years for a 38-39-year-old pitcher, but Hudson’s success based on weak contact more than velocity is in his favor as he declines. Depending on the rotation’s outlook and his own health a year from now, I would be hard pressed to give him more than two years.

Brian McCann underwent surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday. Earlier in the day, everyone was optimistic that the surgery would only limit McCann to mid-February. However, the surgery revealed a bigger tear than a recent MRI showed, and it will likely push him back to the beginning of spring training before he can begin activities. This will probably push McCann’s 2013 debut to sometime in April.

Mark Bowman notes the Braves haven’t committed to McCann’s $12 million option and have until three days after the conclusion of the World Series to make the decision. Even though the Braves might not have McCann for opening day, the option will likely get picked up if for no other reason than there’s no better option for the job. McCann’s history says $12 million is a solid deal for his career numbers, and if healthy, there’s no reason to believe he can’t return to that.

Jerry Beach penned an outstanding piece on Chipper Jones and himself. I hope you take the time to read this in full, because it deserves that.

Eno Sarris of FanGraphs writes on Freddie Freeman’s season.

Minor League and Draft Notes
Mike Newman of FanGraphs ranks the third basemen he has seen in the minors this season. The list includes Edward Salcedo, Brandon Drury and Kyle Kubitza of the Braves.

Matt Garrioch of Minor League Ball reports on Josh Hart, a prep outfielder from Lilburn, Ga. Hart is committed to Georgia Tech.

Don Olsen of Bullpen Banter has several reports on prep left-handers for the upcoming draft, including Trey Ball, who looks like a solid first-round talent.

Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus continues his series looking at early draft prep with a few infielders and catchers from the high school ranks. The list includes Nick Ciuffo, a good-looking catcher from Lexington, S.C.

Fall/Winter League Notes
Arizona Fall League:
Edward Salcedo – 2-24, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 SB
Nick Ahmed – 6-13, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Matt Kennelly – 1-9, 1 BB, 1 K

Zeke Spruill – 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Ryan Buchter – 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Chris Jones – 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Cory Rasmus – 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Venezuela:
Evan Gattis – 6-19, 4 2B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 K
Ernesto Mejia – 6-22, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 8 K
Josh Kroeger – 3-15, 5 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
Jose Yepez – 0-1