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Shortstop J.J. Hardy has made quite an impression, in spite of a troublesome oblique injury that kept him out of the lineup for several weeks. He has filled the leadoff spot impressively in the absence of the injured Roberts and played very well defensively, which has sparked a drumbeat for the front office to sign him to a multiyear contract extension. Sounds like a great idea, since he would seem like the perfect bridge to top position prospect Manny Machado, but agreeing on the money and the number of years could be tricky.

Most pleasant surprise

( Getty Images / June 10, 2011 )

Shortstop J.J. Hardy has made quite an impression, in spite of a troublesome oblique injury that kept him out of the lineup for several weeks. He has filled the leadoff spot impressively in the absence of the injured Roberts and played very well defensively, which has sparked a drumbeat for the front office to sign him to a multiyear contract extension. Sounds like a great idea, since he would seem like the perfect bridge to top position prospect Manny Machado, but agreeing on the money and the number of years could be tricky.

Comments (4)

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easywriter01 at 12:05 PM July 03, 2011

Hardy reads the papers and hears the buzz about Machado, too. He knows he's being regarded as a stopgap measure to get to Machado. So, there's two ways to look at it, if you're him. You can say to yourself, "OK, if they offer me more (on average per year) for two years than any other teams, I might sign; then go for another big payday two years from now." The more likely scenario, however, is that he (and his agent)will feel he'll never be a hotter commodity than he is now, and go for a four or five year contract. Signing a two year deal means you're taking a huge risk on two fronts: what if he gets injured, as he's prone to do? What if his production tails off, especially going into the (next) free agency after the two-year deal. In my opinion, as cheap as the Orioles are, I would put the odds at greater than 10-1 against him signing here, given the risk of injuries and decreased production. A sweet, five year deal with a team that is not the laughingstock of baseball is more appealing than the Chinese water torture with the Orioles, whereby the drip, drip, drip of losing finally gets you to the point where you just give up hope, lose your enthusiasm for the game, and resign yourself to being a loser on a losing team. He will sign elsewhere.

RayLewis-4ever at 11:11 PM July 02, 2011

I hate to break the news, but JJ Hardy is not looking to be a bridge for the gap between Izturis and Machado. JJ Hardy is looking for a deal that will pay him his worth as well as assure him that he will not be moved. Someone is under the impression that Hardy should be treated like utility infielder with a .240 average. You're getting Hardy mixed up with Andino !! Try to play that game with Hardy at the bargaining table and watch him walk away at the end of the season, or force the team to trade him.

I can hear McPhail talking to Angelos on the phone.....

McPhail: "I like Hardy, but he's no Brian Roberts". We should offer Hardy 3 million for 2 years".

Angelos: "Yeah, Hardy will like that". Free agents love our offers". Are you sure that offer isn't inflated?

bags956 at 8:06 AM July 02, 2011

My bet is that they won't pay enough for a long term deal for Hary.

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