Chad Gaudin, a right-handed pitcher, spent a decade in Major League Baseball, showcasing his skills across several teams. Born on March 24, 1983, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Gaudin attended Crescent City Baptist High School, where he first displayed his pitching talent. His professional journey began when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected him in the 34th round of the 2001 MLB Draft.
Gaudin made his MLB debut with the Devil Rays on August 1, 2003. During his time with Tampa Bay, he demonstrated potential as both a starter and a reliever. However, his tenure with the team was relatively short, as he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in December 2004. In Toronto, Gaudin continued to develop his skills, but he was traded again in December 2005, this time to the Oakland Athletics.
The Athletics provided Gaudin with more opportunities to pitch in various roles. In 2006, he primarily served as a reliever, but by 2007, he had transitioned into a starting role, making 34 appearances with 31 starts. That season, he posted a 11-13 record with a 4.42 ERA, marking one of his most productive years as a starter.
In July 2008, Gaudin was traded to the Chicago Cubs as part of a deal that included Rich Harden. His stint with the Cubs was brief, and by the following year, he found himself with the San Diego Padres. Gaudin's time in San Diego was also short-lived, as he was released in April 2009. Shortly thereafter, he signed with the New York Yankees, where he contributed as a spot starter and reliever. Gaudin was part of the Yankees' roster during their 2009 World Series championship run, although he did not pitch in the postseason.
The Yankees released Gaudin in March 2010, and he returned to the Oakland Athletics for a brief period before being released again. He then signed with the New York Yankees for a second stint in May 2010. Gaudin's journey continued as he joined the Washington Nationals in 2011, followed by a move to the Miami Marlins in 2012.
In 2013, Gaudin signed with the San Francisco Giants, where he experienced a resurgence. Initially serving as a long reliever, he was thrust into the starting rotation due to injuries to other pitchers. Gaudin performed admirably, finishing the season with a 5-2 record and a 3.06 ERA over 30 appearances, including 12 starts.
Throughout his career, Gaudin was known for his ability to adapt to different roles on the pitching staff. His repertoire included a fastball, slider, and changeup, which he used to keep hitters off balance. Despite frequent team changes, Gaudin's persistence allowed him to maintain a presence in the major leagues for a decade.
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