The Minnesota Twins traded for Milwaukee Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy today, in exchange for centerfielder Carlos Gomez. Prior to 2009, Hardy had been among the better offensive shortstops in the majors, though his numbers slumped significantly in 2009.
Hardy had been listed among the Red Sox’ shortstop trade targets this offseason. The move eliminates a valuable option for the team, as they must now contemplate between free agent acquisitions, a trade (possibly for Stephen Drew), or picking up Alex Gonzalez’s option.
Hardy batted .283/.343/.478 in 2008 with 24 home runs in 2008, before batting just .229/.302/.357 in 2009.
Loading ...
So the Twins get JJ Hardy, who had a sub-.700 OPS, for the centerpiece of the Santana deal. And we didn't get Santana… why?
The FO must not have wanted to grant Santana the extension he was asking for. Of course for what the Mets gave I don't see why the Sox, Yanks or Angles didn't grab Santana.
Man, the offseason just started and I’m already losing hope…
Another irrelevant offseason for making another irrelevant team…
seriously?
Yes. I give up on optimism.
NOT happy.
A healthy Jed Lowrie can put JJ Hardy #s with a better OBP
Totally agree, and is more likely to do so. I'm more than happy that Jed and Gonzo will provide above average defense and bat. Sign Gonzo and move on.
Am I hallucinating, or is this HotStove operating at hyperspeed? Abreu, JJ, Hermida, Gomez. Saito gone. Gathright, Green, Cabrera to AAA. All in a few days. Wow.
A healthy Jed Lowrie may be able to crap unicorns as well, doesn't mean we'll ever see it. I don't think he's ever going to be completely healthy, and if we go into the season relying on his contributions at SS, the Yanks are '10 champs as well.
Really? The '10 Championship is dependent on who plays SS for the Red Sox?
No other team has shown any ability whatsoever to beat the Yankees money machine other than us lately, and if we're relying on 500 ABs from Lowrie, then we're actually going to get 300 ABs from whatever AAA-lifer we have to bring up when he's injured. We simply can't afford to get a .700 OPS or below from shortstop every single season and ever expect to compete.
If we throw a Nick Green out there again, the Yankees will stomp all over us and whatever team the joke that is the NL provides.
yes much rather see AGon and Lowrie platoon with Jed being able to also take 3rd. People can recover from wrist stuff but it does take time and i think he will be fine or maybe even better than fine. meanwhile ya gotta love Alex's contributions since coming here.
now what is this about Saito gone, Gerry?!? i know he was outrighted to give him FA but did he sign on with another team?
No, just that he was outrighted, and the media have discussed what they consider his supposed sub-par performance with the Sox (you know, like Bay, Ellsbury, Lowell, etc.) I assumed he wants more than the Sox would offer. IMO, if the Sox trade a couple of Bowden, Bard, MDC, Richardson, Coello for AGon or whomever, they will surely miss Saito.
I don't get the negativity towards Gonzo and Jed. This time last year his name was often invoked as an alternative to Lugo & Nick Green. So Theo got him. He was terrific, completely plugging left side leaks while creating smooth DP's. We were ecstatic. He also hit well which, following recovery from multiple medical issues is not entirely surprising. He is healthy, finally comfortable at Fenway, and appears ready for a few very good years, maybe a career year at bat. Why not with the Sox? And the Jed I remember is his minor league dominance (hitter of the year) and peppering the wall with RBI doubles, smooth glove, accurate arm, no errors despite diving plays until he could play no more. Rookie mistake that, but let's see how he rebounds.
I never wanted Hardy anyway, as I don't think his 2009 struggles were all just a fluke. I'd rather trade for Stephen Drew, or sign Marco Scutaro, or exercise the option on Gonzalez, or even take my chances with Lowrie, before I'd want the Red Sox to give up anything for Hardy.
I think his 2009 was flukish completely. I wrote about it more here… check it out if you care to see why I think Hardy's '07 is his true value (which is a great value).
Who cares? There is not any significant SS available. And If it is, it will be “too expensive” for Theo. Apparently, Theo don’t want to invest in any significant player. Is more safe to simply stick with mediocrity.
It's two days after the World Series. Let's give Theo a bit of a longer leash. I'm not disagreeing with his complacency — he's been complacent two straight years — but he is aggressive when he thinks the timing is right. As Sean O alluded, those times have both delivered championships.
People need to realize that Ortiz is probably toast, i'm talking 2008 Giambi toast. If the Sox sign Bay and if my hypothesis proves true, Hermida would become an everyday LF and Bay would become a DH.
Even with his offensively bad offense, Hardy was still a positive-value guy this season due to impeccable defense. He might have been a lot better offensively hitting in Fenway. Ah, well, just a pipe dream.
According to Fredo..I mean Mazz….Brewers wanted either Buchholz or Bard. Neither is acceptable for a guy who had a 74 OPS+ last year.
And I really don't see much of an improvement…flukish or not..moving to the AL Beast.
there is no way the Brewers demanded those guys from the Sox and then accepted Carlos Gomez, you do not go from asking for two of the most highly touted young pitchers in the AL to accepting the worst hitter in baseball.
I did laugh at the Fredo comment though
He said the Brewers refused Bowden, so they probably could have agreed on someone in the middle, but there was no one. Gomez is not awful: he's amazing defensively and the Brew Crew may be hoping for a Bourn-type breakout.
can't sleep. ran thru those great links on the sidebar and found this http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/11/05/the-ya... = a most excellent and well written piece which just about sums up exactly how i feel about the MFY.
thanks, again, guys – for having this awesome place to connect with sane and intelligent fans!!!