Last offseason, the Dodgers were able to acquire second baseman Orlando Hudson for a cheap 1-year/$3.8 million. With Hudson winning a Gold Glove for his play in 2009, resigning him won't be that simple. There's also no guarantee the Dodgers attempt to resign Hudson. In fact, it appears Hudson won't be returning to the Dodgers.

Second base for the Dodgers is wide open. Ronnie Belliard is also a free agent. The Dodgers could resign him to compete with Blake DeWitt in Spring Training. Hudson was benched in favor of Belliard late during the season with Belliard playing second base during the playoffs. The Dodgers know what they'd be getting from Belliard. Both Belliard and DeWitt provide position flexibility as well. Both can play at third base when needed and Belliard can spend time at first base. The Dodgers do possess known options for second base.

Another possibility is acquiring a second baseman via trade. Thanks in part to their recent acquisition of Chris Getz and Josh Fields, the Royals are looking to trade Alberto Callaspo. They have the Dodgers targeted as a potential trade partner. The Royals want catcher A.J. Ellis in exchange for Callaspo. Ellis split time between Triple-A and Los Angeles in 2009. The Dodgers could also inquire about Luis Castillo, who is no longer untradeable according to Buster Olney (ESPN Insider).

Even though the possibility is good that Hudson departs the Dodgers, the team should at least attempt to resign him. He's a Gold Glove second baseman who played well for the Dodgers until the latter part of the season. The worst that happens is the sides don't agree to a deal, Hudson walks, and the Dodgers receive a draft pick because he's a Type A free agent. The loss of Hudson gets somewhat cushioned in that scenario.

As mentioned, the Dodgers have other options. Callaspo is the most attractive from an on-field standpoint. He's coming off a season in which he hit .300/.356/.457 with 11 home runs, 73 RBI, and 79 runs. The downside is he becomes arbitration eligible after 2010. Adding another young player to Ethier, Kemp, and company could create future problems down the line given the Dodgers' current ownership situation. Even though Callaspo made $415,500 in 2009, his arbitration eligibility is a consideration.

Ronnie Belliard put up somewhat similar numbers in 2009 - .277/.325/.451 with 10 home runs, 39 RBI, and 39 runs. A scenario in which the Dodgers bring him back at a cost close to his $1.9 million 2009 figure and let him compete with DeWitt is plausible. Belliard could be a bridge to DeWitt or another second baseman if the Dodgers sign him to a one-year deal. The Dodgers would have to resign both for this scenario to occur.

If putting together a list with these candidates, Callaspo would be at the top. It depends if the Dodgers are willing to part with Ellis. If not, Belliard-DeWitt isn't a bad Plan B. Castillo and his albatross of a contract and diminishing ability are at the low end of the list.

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