HUDSON HEADS HOME
The Atlanta Braves acquired pitcher Tim Hudson from the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Charles Thomas, and pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
Despite seeing all three of their free-agent starters find opportunities elsewhere, the Braves have done a good job replacing them so far, first moving John Smoltz back to the rotation and now by acquiring Hudson. He was the most consistent of the A's "Big Three" starters and is a lock for 15-20 wins, which could make him the Braves' new No. 1 starter. The one downside is that he's in the last year of his contract, but the Braves might have the inside track on locking him up because he is a Georgia native.
What does it give the Oakland Athletics
It seemed inevitable that the A's were going to trade away one of their top three starters and kudos to them for getting good value once they settled on a deal. Cruz is probably the key to the deal, a hard-throwing righty who was brilliant in relief for the Braves last year but has been waiting for his chance to be a starter. The A's will likely give him that chance. Thomas served as a fourth outfielder in Atlanta during his 2004 rookie campaign and should fill the same role in Oakland. He doesn't have any one tool that really stands out, but he's good enough at everything to be valuable off the bench. Finally, Meyer is a 2002 first rounder who has rocketed through the Braves' system and has done nothing but impress. He's a southpaw who throws hard with movement and has good command and it wouldn't be surprising to see him starting for the A's sometime this coming season.
Fantasy impact
