Hudler’s Future Is Uncertain

It was the last game of the season, his grandparents had driven four hours from Snyder, Texas, to see him, and Angel utility player Rex Hudler couldn’t wait to get on the field at the Ballpark in Arlington Sunday.

Hudler, however, didn’t play, and though he looked disappointed, he did his best to hide it. But some of his frustration came through when talk turned to Hudler’s future.

“It’s a good chance this was my last game here, but who knows?” said Hudler, who batted .311 with a career-high 16 homers and 40 runs batted in. “I’ve loved playing here for three years--but now I need to do what’s best for my family and me.”

Hudler, 36, is looking for a significant raise from his $300,000 salary, but it’s doubtful the Angels will want to pay much more for a utility player.

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The Angels set team records this season for hits (1,571), home runs (192) and strikeouts by pitchers (976).