Second Base Band-Aid Series: Orlando Hudson

Everyone knew this series was coming. The Tigers’ second baseman, including Ryan Ra(y)burn, Ramon Santiago, and Brandon Inge, have put up a triple slash of .163/.235/.252 for a .487 OPS. Most pitchers can accomplish that. It’s time to make a change. The first and most convenient of a few ideas is Orlando Hudson. But let’s get one thing straight: Orlando Hudson isn’t a good player anymore. If you are released by the Padres, your best days as a player are probably behind you. At this point, there’s no harm in trying something different, and Hudson comes for free.

The days of O-Dog hitting .300 with an .800 OPS and good defense are probably over. However, he’s average defensively at 2B, and is coming off a .681 OPS campaign in 2011, including a .737 road OPS; Petco is a place where hitters go to die. Not to mention that he’s a switch hitter, and could still put up a .700 OPS against righties, and leave LHP for Raburn to play some 2B, albeit poorly. Plus, Hudson walks at an above average clip of ~9%, and doesn’t strike out very often either.

The Tigers’ 2B situation is dire, and adding Hudson at this point can’t really hurt. The worst thing that happens is that he’s awful, and the organization has to go to plan C at the deadline. It’s really a no-lose situation. If O-Dog can still play, he’ll play. If he’s bad, they’ll cut him loose and find a better option.