Braves rumors: Tim Hudson is likely gone; Red Sox frontrunners to sign him?

Tim Hudson, who has been in Atlanta since 2004, has likely thrown his final pitch for the Braves.

It was reported earlier in the week that a handful of American League clubs were going to aggressively pursue Hudson this offseason, including Cleveland and Kansas City. On Friday, Jon Heyman said the Red Sox "really want him" and noted Huddy's desire to win a World Series before he retires. Hudson heading to Beantown would also reunite him with David Ross.

While it's not like he couldn't win a World Series in Atlanta, money could also become a serious issue. It's believed the Braves have extended a one-year deal to Hudson, but it's surely nowhere close to this:

I'd be bearish on anything more than a one-year deal, and $12 million annually over two is a really steep price to pay who a guy who's coming off major ankle surgery.

Don't get me wrong here -- I love Huddy and all he's done for the organization over the last decade -- but at 39 next summer, is he really a guy you want to be committing at least 10 percent of the budget to? I don't think so, especially when you've got other options to fill in the starting rotation.