Hudson To Red Sox?

The New York Post and ESPN.com's "Insider" is reporting that Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson may be available if the Braves do not get back into contention in the NL East. The soon to be 31-year-old is signed through 2009 on a contract worth $33-million. Hudson is 4-3 with a 4.13 ERA so far in '06 and has a career record of 110-51 with an ERA of 3.37. If this report is true, the Red Sox would be wise to jump in on Hudson. As he showed in his years with Oakland, he can dominate in the American League. Also, the Sox desperately need starting pitching. Matt Clement has been a bust since the '05 All-Star break, David Wells has been hurt (and is 43), and Tim Wakefield has been shaky so far this year. Adding Hudson to Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett would give the Sox a powerful 1-2-3 combination at the top of the rotation. Of course, the price of Hudson would not be cheap. The Braves would most likely ask for at least one of Boston's top pitching prospects -- Jon Lester, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, Edgar Martinez -- as well as at least one or two mid-level prospects. The Sox may also have to send Clement while eating a good portion of his guaranteed money left on his current deal which runs through 2007. Other potential starters on the market that would help the Sox are Florida's Dontrelle Willis and Oakland's Barry Zito. And don't forget Roger Clemens either. Something to keep an eye on.