ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Tim Hudson set a Tuesday deadline for extending his contract. It appears the Atlanta Braves are prepared to accomodate him.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Braves will announce the signing of Hudson to a three-year extension worth more than $11 million annually by Tuesday.

The Braves acquired the 29-year-old righthander from the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer and outfielder Charles Thomas in December.

Hudson will make $6.75 million in 2005 - the last year of his contract.

The Braves are willing to give him a substantial increase and Hudson, who grew up near Columbus, Georgia rooting for the Braves, prefers to stay in Atlanta.

Hudson posted a 92-39 record with a 3.30 ERA in six seasons with Oakland. Last year, he was 12-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 27 starts.

Hudson and John Smoltz will head a rotation that includes Mike Hampton and John Thomson. The Braves lost three of their starters -- Russ Ortiz, Jaret Wright and Paul Byrd -- from last season to free agency.

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