As reported on all the news outlets, the Twins signed second baseman Orlando Hudson to a one year $5 million contract on Thursday.

My first thought was that it is a wonderful singing for the Twins. Frankly, I don't understand how the guy was out there that long?

My second thought was, has there ever been a MLB player in the modern era that has been more consistent, more reliable both at the plate and in the field that couldn't get more than a one year contract than Orlando Hudson?

Hudson is a two-time All-Star, a three time 2nd Base Gold Glove winner, and he's even acquired the status of having a one word nickname where when you say it, everyone knows who you are talking about; "O-Dog."

It seems that virtually every year this guy is a free agent with multiple teams interested in him and yet every year he ends up with a one year deal.

Does he not want to sign a multi-year deal? I know that the market is not what it once was but gee-wiz!

Luis Castillo was able to fleece the Mets for a 4-year $25 million deal in 2008. Hudson was widely expected to get a better deal than that, but he returned to the Diamondback for one year?

Let's take a look at the last one year contract he signed with the Dodgers.

Taking a look at his past contracts, maybe he and his agent are smarter than we gave them credit for. Hudson's agent Greg Genske who has had the unpleasant job of finding a place for his client in this troublesome economy has done a fantastic job. Take a look at this.

• In 2006 with the Diamondbacks O-Dog made $3.9 million
• In 2007 with the Diamondbacks O-Dog made $6.25 million
• In 2008 with the Dodgers, O-Dog's contract looked like this....

· $380,000 signing bonus, deferred without interest to a time not designated
· $3 million base salary for 2009
· $150,000 each for 150 and 175 plate appearances
· $200,000 each for 200, 225, 250, 275 and 300 plate appearances
· $250,000 each for 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575 PAs
· $10,000 for EVERY plate appearance from PA #576 through PA #632. That's 57 PAs for total of $570,000.
· Also, BEGINNING WITH 550 PAs, every one of these incentives, including that $570k, is deferred without interest to a time not designated. And the contract requires Hudson to donate $25,000 to the Dodgers Dream Foundation.

Last year "O-Dog" had 631 plate appearances. That's $8 million!

The 2010 contract that Hudson just signed with the Twins has been reported as a one year $5 million deal. It wouldn't surprise me to find out somewhere down the road that O-Dog managed to get a few incentives thrown in there.... - Keith A. Baker

Keith is a sports agent in Stamford, Connecticut. His goal is to offer a unique insight to the world of sports. Comments in his columns are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect the views and opinions of his firm or his client.

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