The list gets longer by the day — middle infielders who the Red Sox are kicking the tires on.

The likes of Adam Everett, Mark DeRosa, and Adam Kennedy are all names that have surfaced in the last few days as players the Red Sox have at least called about. And then, Wednesday night, MLB.com’s Ian Browne was the first to report that the Sox had also inquired about Placido Polanco, who, according to a source, was close to signing a deal to become the Phillies’ third baseman as Thursday approached.

So, who’s next? According to a major league source one name to add to the list is Orlando Hudson.

Like Polanco, Hudson is a Type A free agent who wasn’t offered arbitration by his team, which, in the 31-year-old’s case was the Los Angeles Dodgers. That was of some importance when evaluating the Red Sox’ interest, as they wouldn’t have to surrender a draft pick if a deal was struck.

Hudson, who has never played any other position but second base in his eight-year big league career, would only fit in the Red Sox’ plans if they made the move of playing Dustin Pedroia at short. It should also be noted that the Red Sox have shown interest in the smooth-fielding Hudson, who played four seasons in Toronto, three with Arizona, and last year with the Dodgers.

In 149 games with LA last season, Hudson batted .283, while winning his fourth Gold Glove in the past five seasons.

It still appears shortstop Marco Scutaro remains a top priority for the Red Sox. Scutaro, who was offered salary arbitration by the Blue Jays and would cost a draft pick if he is signed, turned down a two-year deal. It should be noted that such an offer by the Jays suggests that Toronto had no fears that the plantar fasciitis injury the infielder suffered at the end of the ‘09 season was a concern for the future.

8 Comments for “Hudson also drawing interest from Sox”

1. BW Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 7:14 am

   >> Hudson, who has never played any other position but *shortstop* in his eight-year big league career <<

   I think you meant second base here.

2. CM13 Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 am

   Yeah, well done Bradford, get some sleep…the O dog is a 2 bagger.

3. Rob Bradford Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 8:30 am

   My bad. Thanks for the heads-up. Tricky sleep deprivation.

4. Bruno Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 am

   Rob – great reporting! Please keep up the bird-dogging. Just curious… what’s your gut telling you the Sox will do with the middle infield. Personally, I’m intrigued by the Pedroia to SS option. With a great glove at 2B like Hudson, it seems like the MI would be pretty strong overall. Plus, a 1 or 2 year deal would allow Pedroia to move back to second if/when Iglesias is ready or Lowry proves to be a healthy option at short.

   Thanks!

5. manuel Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm

   RED SOX´S needs LF Matt Holliday SS Marco Scutaro or SS Micguel Tejada SP Roy Hallladay or SP John Lackey 1B Miguel Cabrera RP Rafael Soriano or RP Fernando Rodney Re-sign Takashi Saito

6. anguillaman Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 pm

   This is a good option.

7. HeMi Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 pm

   O-Dogg solid player, great clubhouse guy……..Move Pedroia to SS, he’ll be fine, and then resign Bay, and trade for Halladay……CHAMPIONSHIP!!

8. charlie Says:
   December 18th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

   the odogg is the guy for the redsox. he can make a solid feature for the team. odogg can be considered one of th best second basemens in mlb. Orlando has a great heart and is a family man. he can be a leader no matter wat team hes on. orlando trusts n god watch him before every game he prays.

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