Tim Hudson agreed to a $28 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, giving the team a wealth of starting pitching and setting up a likely trade to bolster the offense. Hudson could have returned to the Braves under a $12 million option, but the sides focused on a longer deal after the right-hander showed he had overcome major elbow surgery.
The banner in right field summed up how the Atlanta Braves feel about this final week of the season. "Believe." Jair Jurrjens pitched five-hit ball over seven innings, Chipper Jones homered and the Braves beat Florida 4-0 Monday night for their 15th win in 17 games, a stretch that has lifted them into playoff contention with six games left in the regular season.
After 50 years in baseball, Bobby Cox figured the only way he would ever give up managing was to pick a specific time and announce it publicly. So that's what he did Wednesday, revealing his plans to retire as manager of the Atlanta Braves after next season. Now comes the hard part: sticking to it.