Twins and Hudson reportedly close to deal, but no news yet

We are working to confirm a report (via Twitter) by Bill Ladson, the Washington Nationals beat writer for MLB.com, that the Twins are close to a deal with free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.

One baseball source told me he heard Hudson's choices were down to Cleveland and the Twins, and that the Indians were actually offering more money. We have not confirmed Cleveland's interest, and the fact the Indians would offer more money than the Twins is surprising because Cleveland has appeared cash-strapped all offseason.

Earlier today, FoxSports.com, had a report that the Twins were "intensifying" their pursuit of Hudson. Here's our earlier post on the subject.

Ladson's Tweets (@washingnats) went as follows:

I just learned from a baseball source that 2B Orlando Hudson will not play for the #Nats. He most likely will play for the Twins.

The baseball source told me that a deal is almost done between 2B Orlando Hudson and the #Twins.

What happened between the #Nats and 2B Orlando Hudson? They were far apart on money.

Also, there's this from ESPN's Buster Olney (via Twitter @Buster_ESPN):

Wrote earlier in the week that the Twins were very serious about Hudson talks -- and now it looks like a choice between Minn. and Cleveland.

Update: Olney tweeted that Hudson is closing in on a $5 million deal with the Twins.