Does O-Dawg regret leaving?

2009 was a disaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was supposed to be at least a competitive year. The offseason prior to the 2009 season was also a disaster for former Dback Orlando Hudson. He was coming off a career year, batting .305, but had his season cut short for the second consecutive year because of injury. He entered free agency for the first time and was expecting to cash in on a huge, multi-year contract.

As one of the elite second basemen in baseball, he was reportedly seeking a 5-year deal for around $45 million. Hudson did nothing wrong- he had earned the right to see what the market would bear. However, aside from the monster contracts that the Yankees gave to C.C. Sabathia and to Mark Texeira, there just wasn't the money for that to happen. In the end, Hudson had to settle for a one-year deal with the Dodgers worth $3.38 million, with possible incentives worth around another $4 million.

In the end, the season was a success- he played an entire season, batting .283 with 9 homeruns and 62 RBI, numbers that are right in line with what he has done in his career. He did struggle in the last month of the season, but played for the National League West champs and played in the NLCS for the chance of playing in the World Series. He reached his incentives, making his yearly earnings at around $7.5 million. However, he became a free agent again, and he was only able to obtain a one-year, $5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins.

Here's the kicker- reportedly, while with the Diamondbacks, the team offered him a four-year extension worth about $7 million annually. Hudson was unhappy with the offer, seeking the aforementioned $9 million per year and five years, and parted ways with the team after 2008. I imagine that he wishes he had taken the deal now. Two seasons, two one-year contracts, and a stagnant free agent market, and certainly not $9 million per year, and not even $7 million.

I, for one, wish Arizona could have signed him. Yes, 2009 was awful, but would it have been different with a healthy O-Dawg? I don't think he is the difference between 90 wins and 70 wins, but his stellar defense alone leads to a few wins. His leadership and energy would have changed the make up of the clubhouse, and his influence on Chris Young (whose year was TERRIBLE) could have helped him have at least an okay season. But beyond 2009, 2010 could have been special. Arizona has an improved rotation and Hudson would be an upgrade over Kelly Johnson. So, if he had stayed with Arizona, he gets paid, and the team gets a bat, defense, and leadership. 2009 may still have been lost, but he could have had money, security, AND winning.

What do you think? Does he wish he had stayed? I think it is likely.