Is Hudson too good for D-Backs to keep?

TUCSON - It's easy to spot Orlando Hudson. He's the Diamondback standing at the intersection of ability and affordability.

Talent and attitude have made Hudson among the most valuable D-Backs, and he is their most decorated position player, having won two Gold Gloves and made an All-Star team in his two seasons here.

But because Hudson is eligible for free agency after this year, some wonder if this will be his last spring training with the D-Backs - as much as he says he wants to stay and as much as they seem to appreciate his play.

Hudson makes no secret where he stands, saying "I want to spend the rest of my career here. I love it here.

"Right now, I'm just thinking about getting my team better and about getting to the postseason again - winning the World Series. I'm not thinking about no contract - no way, shape or form," he said.

"If I do what I'm supposed to do, everything will be taken care of, anyway."

Hudson signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract to avoid arbitration in January, and with another typical season - he was on his way to career highs in several offensive categories before missing the final month with a thumb injury - could be in position to command a multi-year deal worth eight figures a year.

The Phillies' Chase Utley signed a seven-year, $85 million contract before last season, the market standard. Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips got a four-year, $27 million deal last week, and the Mets' Luis Castillo has a four-year, $25 million contract.

If the D-Backs were a deep-pocketed franchise, Hudson's future likely would be settled in a New York (Yankees) postseason minute - put up the numbers, receive the market value check.

As it is, the fiscal matters are as compelling to the D-Backs as their admiration of Hudson's play.

"He's tremendous. He's had two great years here. He's a major contributor offensively and obviously defensively," general manager Josh Byrnes said.

"The way he goes about his business, with how hard he plays and the energy he brings, is infectious. We think a lot of him as a player and as a person."

The bottom line turns the situation murkier, however.

On one hand, the D-Backs will have a $69 million payroll this season and have indicated the payroll could increase in the next several seasons. Also, $16 million will be freed up when Randy Johnson's contract expires.

At the same time, costs will rise as their young base gains experience. Chris Snyder hit arbitration and the concomitant salary bump this winter, Conor Jackson will be eligible for arbitration before 2009, and Stephen Drew and Chris Young will reach that threshold before 2010.

After the 2010 season, the contracts of Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Eric Byrnes expire, and both Webb and Haren would likely be in line for mega-deals as two of the best pitchers in the game.

The D-Backs offered Hudson a multi-year extension last year, and it is certain the sides will talk again this season.

"Both sides have some alternatives that are appealing, but both sides have some interest in seeing if we can make a deal," Byrnes said.

"We'll have dialogue when necessary and see if the timing is right that it can happen. It's tough to predict."

The D-Backs will continue to monitor the play of minor leaguer Emilio Bonifacio as a possible future candidate at second base, and his play will factor into their decision, also.

For example, Eric Byrnes became a much more viable option for a long-term deal last season when he put up a career year and younger, less experienced alternative Carlos Quentin was not as productive as expected.

Byrnes' three-year, $30 million extension seems proof the D-Backs will factor performance into all scenarios moving forward.

"He's very important to us," Byrnes said of Hudson, the other clubhouse veteran among position players.

"He's set up for a real big deal. If the Diamondbacks want to re-sign him, they need to make a commitment to 'O.' He's a Gold Glove second baseman and an All-Star. If it doesn't work out, I don't blame him. It's just the nature of the business. I would like to see him back."

Show me the money

Highest-paid second basemen in the major leagues (in millions)