Oct 18, 2009 4:39 PM EST

Tim Hudson says that he'd take less money as a free agent if it meant he could stay with the Braves.

Braves starters led the majors with a 3.52 ERA this past season and they have five other starters under contractual control.

"They don't have to bring me back to have a good starting rotation, and I understand that," Hudson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Braves hold a $12 million option on his contract for 2010 and have until five days after the World Series to exercise it or pay a $1 million buyout and make him a free agent.

Via Atlanta Journal-Constitution