Washington Nationals re-sign Daniel Hudson for 2-years, $11M

The Washington Nationals have resigned reliever Daniel Hudson to a 2-year, $11 million deal, bringing back a key cog to help defend their World Series title.

Daniel Hudson was one of the many postseason heroes for the Washington Nationals in their World Series-winning run.  He recorded a total of 4 saves during the postseason and recorded the final out in Game 7 against the Houston Astros.

He made his way to the Nationals via a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, who signed him after the Los Angeles Angels released him in March of 2019.  For the Blue Jays, he went 6-3 with a 3.00 ERA and two saves in four save opportunities.  He also recorded eight holds while with the Blue Jays.

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The Nationals were particularly weak in their bullpen near the trade deadline acquired him to shore that area up and boy did he ever deliver.  He went 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA and had six saves in eight save opportunities with three holds.  His ERA+ was at 322 and he had a .880 WHIP.

In the postseason he was just as good, going 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA, but recording four saves in as many chances.  He was the best reliever they could call upon during their championship run.

Knowing how vital he was to their success late last season is why the Nationals brought him back.  He has been somewhat of a journeyman throughout his career, having been with about six different teams.

He started out his career as a starter and was with my favorite team, the Arizona Diamondbacks for six seasons.  It is with the D-backs where he started the transition from the starting rotation to the bullpen.

Career-wise Hudson has gone 49-35 with a 3.83 ERA, 616 strikeouts and a 1.256 WHIP.  His career ERA+ is 109.  Hudson, who will be 33 this season, is a good investment for the Washington Nationals who provides good value out of the bullpen.

He will most certainly alternate with Sean Doolittle as the closer/set-up man throughout the season and will help them hopefully make another deep postseason run.