Orlando Hudson

The Minnesota Twins have come into their own since the All-Star break despite being without Justin Morneau and more recently Orlando Hudson. With the two on the disabled list the door has been opened for other players to step up. Here are five players that have the potential to make the biggest difference outside of the regulars.

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Oh man, it's been so many months since I've done an MLB Rumor Mill at BleacherReport.com. It's been ages, literally!

So here I am, back with the MLB Rumors. And that brings me to another thing: I haven't written an MLB article for a long time, too. Jeez.

Recently, Orlando Hudson of the Minnesota Twins has leveled the claim that Jermaine Dye and Gary Sheffield are not playing for a major league team in 2010 because the owners are racists. I can't get into the heads of each owner to know if Hudson is right or wrong. However, I have found 5 reasons why he might be wrong.

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered their first full decade as a team with the fifth highest payroll in the league. In 2001, just their fourth year in existence, they won one of the most emotional world series in the history of the game.

But after ten years of entertaining baseball fans everywhere, the D'Backs could not be a more different franchise from the one that came back and beat the Yankees in seven games.

From the fifth highest payroll in 2000 to the twentieth in 2009. From Jerry Colangelo to Ken Kendrick. From Joe Garagiola to Josh Byrnes. From Bob Brenly to A.J. Hinch.

  Could this offseason be deja vu for Orlando Hudson?

Last winter, the second baseman was coming off a stellar season offensively and defensively that was cut short by injuries. Nevertheless, Hudson was rated as a type A free agent was looking to cash in on his big year with a large multi-year contract that was in the $25-$35 million dollar range.

Three members of the National League West leading Los Angeles Dodgers have been selected to join the National League All-Stars for July 14th contest in St. Louis at Busch Stadium.

Closer Jonathan Broxton, starting pitcher Chad Billingsley, and second baseman Orlando Hudson are on the NL roster, with outfielder Matt Kemp still under consideration as one of the five finalists for the last spot on the roster.

Every season, there are free agents who are expected to be superstars for the team they sign with.

Then there are those free agents who are less publicized, but still are able to make a significant impact on their new team. Here are some of the top underrated free agent signings of 2009.

Orlando Hudson/Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers began their first homestand by rolling over the San Francisco Giants.

Not much changed when the Colorado Rockies came into town.

The Dodgers completed their sweep of the Rockies on Sunday with a 14-2 win, including a seven-run fifth inning led by Matt Kemp's grand slam to right field. Kemp would add a solo homer in the eighth inning to give the Dodgers their fourth multi-homer game this week and third in three days.

Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson also each drove in three runs for Los Angeles.