Hot Stove time! The Minnesota Twins have traded shortsop J.J. Hardy and utility infielder Brendon Harris to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed relievers James Hoey and Brett Jacobson.
This seems like a decent deal for all parties involved, except for female Twins fans who fell madly in lust with Hardy's sparkly baby blue eyes last season.
Hardy, who is eligible for arbitration, was desperately needed in Baltimore's middle infield. He should be making somewhere in the ballpark of $6 million next year after hitting .268 with six home runs and 38 RBI for the Twins in 2010.
Harris, who is under a tiny $1.75 million contract through next season, can play anywhere in the infield, preferably second or third base. The trouble is, he sucks at the plate. Harris, 30, batted just .157 with one longball and four RBI in 43 games with the Twins last season.
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Hoey had a combined 6-0 record with a 3.25 ERA in 42 outings between Double-A Bowie Baysox and Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He made 35 appearances for the Orioles during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, going 3-5 with an 8.13 ERA before missing the entire 2008 season with a shoulder injury.
Jacobson, 24, went 8-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 34 relief appearances for the Single-A Frederick Keys last year.
[Baltimore Sun] | [Camden Chat] | [Twinkie Town]
7 comments:
"except for female Twins fans who fell madly in lust with Hardy's sparkly baby blue eyes last season"
We'll get over it.
I'm all for building from the ground up, but I'm starting to get a little worried that we're getting rid of too many that did impact at the Majors level and now we're going to have too much locked up at the Minor-Leage level ...
I would've gladly gotten rid of those two shmucks for less.
Who's going to play short for the Twins? (Not Nick Punto, not Nick Punto, not Nick Punto)
So who's now the third-hottest player in a Twins uniform? Danny Valencia?
And yes, the female Twins fans will get over this by Spring Training. We'll miss his pretty blue eyes and little smile but we have our memories.
@RFS: Tsuyoshi Nishioka is set to be shortstop. He's expected to arrive in the US next week for a physical exam and will likely sign a contract while he's there if he checks out okay.
I;m really excited to see Nishioka in action. As far as Punto? I've gotten so used to him being around, it doesn't even both me anymore. He's got a great glove, just needs some work at the plate. Thank goodness for Valencia at the hot corner -- that kid is awesome! And my Canadian Crusher will be back at first base by the time Spring Training rolls around. Sounds like a decent infield to me!
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