Transactions Roundup: Hudson close to 3-year deal with Braves

ATLANTA (AP) -- Pitcher Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves are nearing agreement on a three-year contract.

Atlanta holds a $12 million option on the 34-year-old right-hander, who was 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven starts this season after his return from elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

Hudson's agent, Paul Cohen, said the sides are getting closer to a deal but that no agreement has been finalized.

Garland's option declined by Dodgers

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Dodgers have declined a $10 million mutual option on pitcher Jon Garland for next season, making him eligible for free agency.

The right-hander gets a $2.5 million buyout because the team declined; he would have earned a $1 million buyout if he had declined.

Garland was acquired from Arizona ahead of the July 31 trade deadline for infielder Tony Abreu. He was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six games for the Dodgers, and didn't make their playoff roster. He was 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 games with Arizona.

He made $6.25 million this year. Because he was traded, the Dodgers cannot offer him salary arbitration if he is a Type A free agent.

Kotsay stays with White Sox for $1.5 million

CHICAGO (AP) -- Mark Kotsay agreed Thursday to a $1.5 million contract to remain with the Chicago White Sox.

The 33-year-old infielder and outfielder, who had been eligible for free agency, hit .278 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 67 games combined with Boston and the White Sox last season.

Chicago acquired him from the Red Sox on July 28 for outfielder Brian Anderson. In 40 games with the White Sox, the left-handed hitting Kotsay batted .292 with three homers and 18 RBIs.

Kotsay is a .281 career hitter with 113 homers over 13 major league seasons with the Marlins, Padres, Athletics, Braves, Red Sox and White Sox.

He also made $1.5 million this year.

Diamondbacks decline Tracy's $7 million option

PHOENIX (AP) -- Infielder Chad Tracy's $7 million option has been declined by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will pay the infielder a $1 million buyout.

The 29-year-old becomes eligible for free agency.

Selected on the seventh round of 2001 amateur draft, Tracy batted .237 in 71 games this year, when he spent all of June on the disabled list. He hit .280 over parts of six seasons with the club.

Arizona also sent right-hander Daniel Cabrera, outfielder Trent Oeltjen and outfielder Alex Romero outright to Triple-A Reno. Cabrera refused the assignment and elected to become a free agent.

Belisle, Flores agree to 1-year deals with Rockies

DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Rockies agreed Thursday to an $850,000, one-year contract with right-hander Matt Belisle and a $650,000, one-year deal with left-hander Randy Flores.

Belisle was 3-1 with a 5.52 ERA in 24 appearances with the Rockies last season. He can earn an additional $225,000 based on games pitched: $25,000 each for 55, 60 and 65, and $75,000 each for 70 and 75. In addition, he can earn $200,000 for games finished: $25,000 each for 40 and 45, and $50,000 each for 50, 55 and 60.

Flores went 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in 27 games. He can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses based on games pitched: $25,000 each for 60 and each additional five through 75.

Colorado also assigned right-hander Joel Peralta and infielder Omar Quintanilla outright to Triple-A Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League. Peralta declined the assignment and elected to become a free agent.

Nationals claim LHP Slaten off waivers

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Nationals have claimed left-handed reliever Doug Slaten off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Slaten, who will turn 30 before the start of next season, is a middle reliever who spent most of 2009 at Triple-A Reno, going 3-2 with nine saves and a 3.09 ERA in 39 appearances.

He had a 7.11 ERA with no decisions in 11 appearances with the Diamondbacks this season.

He is 3-5 with a 3.68 ERA in the majors since 2006, all with Arizona.

Mariners add RHP Yusmeiro Petit

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners have claimed right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

General manager Jack Zduriencik announced Thursday the addition of the 24-year-old who pitched in 23 games for Arizona last season. He was 3-10 with a 5.82 ERA.

In 17 starts, he was 3-9, with a 5.72 ERA. As a starter, he had 71 strikeouts in 83 1-3 innings.

Petit is 10-20 with a 5.57 ERA in 71 career appearances, 36 of them starts, for the Florida Marlins (2006) and Diamondbacks (2007-09).

The New York Mets originally signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 2001.

He was traded to the Marlins following the 2005 season as part of the Carlos Delgado trade.

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