The deal includes $4.62 million in incentives that would bring the total value to $8 million, according to sources.

The Royals were prepared to offer Hudson as much as $4.5 million or $5 million, plus $2 million in incentives, depending on which other moves they could have made to reduce payroll, according to a source.

However, Hudson is more familiar with the NL West after playing the past three seasons for the Diamondbacks. He will hit in front of Manny Ramirez, if the Dodgers re-sign the free-agent outfielder, and play in a higher profile market, increasing his chances of landing a multi-year deal as a free agent next offseason.

Hudson, 31, is a switch-hitter coming off surgery on his left wrist. He would be a defensive upgrade over Blake DeWitt, giving the Dodgers a dynamic double-play partner for shortstop Rafael Furcal.

By signing Hudson, the Dodgers would forfeit the No. 17 overall pick in the June amateur draft to the Diamondbacks, a division rival — a seemingly high price for a one-year, free-agent investment.

The Dodgers, however, gained a supplemental pick between the first and second rounds for losing free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe to the Braves, plus Atlanta's second-round pick.

Hudson initially wanted to play for the Mets or Yankees, but the Mets have been unable to trade Luis Castillo and the Yankees are comfortable with Robinson Cano.

New York Yankees News News » Sources: Dodgers, Hudson reach one-year deal
Sources: Dodgers, Hudson reach one-year deal
The Dodgers have reached agreement on a one-year, $3.38 million contract with free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, according to major-league sources. MLB Spring Training