Are you serious? That's all we gave up? Bill Smith is an absolute genius.

ttp://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/twins-acquire-jj-hardy.html

Thats not a big discount, since the Berwers tried to trade Hardy at the all star break, and the best offer they got was a bullpen arm. Hardy also spent part of 2009 in AAA and hit a very low .229 average. He is under contract through 2011 I believe, so thats two season with the Twins before he becomes a free agent (at age 29).

His batting average is low, but he has the hime run ability that was missing from Gomez. The Twins may turn him into an opposite field hitter like they do eveyrone else, but he will still hit a a few bombs for us.

Now that Hardy is here, does that mean Orlando Cabrera won't be back? Or will the Twins try and move Hardy to a different position like 2B?

I' sure the movement this early is a good indicator that Cabrera is leaving town.

Anyway, I LOVE this move. JJ Hardy is an All-Star, I'm pretty sure. He had a down year last year, so heres hoping the Twins hitting coaches can get him back into shape. I hope we really didnt just trade a career .220 hitter for another career .220 hitter. =/

I like this move. JJ Hardy gives us a legitimate Shortstop with some real pop in his bat. Sure he had a real down season, but the guy can flat out hit. Something Gomez NEVER did. And with the inpending departure of O-Cab we gave up very little to get JJ.
.
To be quite frank, I don't know why the Brewers gave up JJ for just Gomez. Carlos $ucks. This guy has shown no signs of improvement in two major league seasons. He makes bone headed decisions in the outfield and on the base paths. He is also absolutely deplorable at the plate. Some say inexperience and youth, I say way overhyped underachiever.
.
Anyhow this move clears up the outfield log jam. Young in left, Span in center, and Cuddyer in Right, All the time. None of this rotation garbage, etc.
.
Now whats going to happen at 2nd base and 3rd?

I like the move... gives us a ShortStop who when I've watched a Brewer game occasionaly, makes some great defensive plays, hopefully we can get his average back where it used to... best of luck to Carlos and the Brewers, I liked Carlos but his bone-headed plays from time to time also stuck with me as well.. it will be even more fun playing them this year now.

dont count on hardy moving to another position the reason he was sent to class AAA last yr was becasue of his bad numbers but also because he refused to move to 2nd base so the brewers could bring up prospect alcides escobar...he is firmly set at SS but if the twins keep cabrera i dont see him as the starter over orlando

Meh I really don't like this deal but I don't hate it either. I would've much rather traded Gomez for an average starting pitcher than a below average defensively shortstop. Shortstop is one of those positions where I would rather have defense over offense anyday as long as the offense isn't too terrible, and we are getting a guy that is below average there defensively and a complete toss up offensively.

Wow, I am a little on the fence about this trade. There are some DEFINITE positives to it. It clears up our outfield logjam, and it gives us another infield option. It's a bonus that he has been an all-star just 2 years ago, but a definite negative that he just got sent down to the minors LAST YEAR. I liked Gomez. He wasn't the greatest player on our team, in fact he was one of the worst offensively. BUT few are as entertaining to watch as he is and he had tremendous range in the outfield and speed on the base paths. There are definitely parts of his game that I am going to miss... I guess mostly the bat sniffing :P But I guess in order to get value, you have to give up something that you might have otherwise wanted. I just hope that Hardy is 2008 Hardy, not 2009 Hardy.

"and we are getting a guy that is below average there defensively and a complete toss up offensively."

That's the thing though. Hardy is not below average with the glove at all.

Hardy is good defensively. How is he a toss up offensively? I guess I missed Gomez's 2 seasons with 25 homers and a .280 average.

first off, hardy is NOT a below average short stop. in fact, he is as close to league average as you can get with the glove (if you both to look up actual numbers which DO include range factor).

He has an above-average arm and can hit for power.
He's obviously coming off a bad season, but he should be able to hit .260 with 25 hrs for you next year.

...oh, and he'll be a big hit with all the 15 year old girls of minnesota.
mark my words.

We still have Perkins, Morales, Harris as trade bait for a starting pitcher. I can see the Twins looking at Bedard, as Seattle could use a catcher, pitcher or 3b. I also heard from someone that Josh Johnson could be available.

Sign Placido Polanco if he becomes a Type B FA and you got a very formidable team both on defence and offence.

CF - Span
2b - Polanco
C - Mauer
RF - Cuddyer
1b - Morneau
LF - Young
DH- Kubel
3b - Crede (incentive laden contract with Valencia in the wings)
SS - Hardy

Punto - Super sub for 2b, 3b, & ss
Pridie - 5th OF and pinch runner

"...oh, and he'll be a big hit with all the 15 year old girls of minnesota.
mark my words."

Joe Mauer owns Minnesota

Johnson would be a God-send...

Bedard is a FA...no trading for him...and I believe he'd be a disaster anyway...a lot of money for a lot of injury...

From previous reports from the Twins, I predicted earlier that there was a strong chance O. Cabrera will not be back. I think this puts a period on that...

The trade itself isn't all that great unless Hardy can return to his prior offensive form. Otherwise, the help at SS will be limited with the lack of offense. I for one will miss O. Cab...

What this does is tell the fans is that the Twins are committed to Span, Young and Cuddyer in the outfield and Kubel at DH. With 1B, C and now SS filled the Twins will now need to resolve 2B and 3B and the position players will be set.

Then it will be on to pitching...

"...oh, and he'll be a big hit with all the 15 year old girls of minnesota.
mark my words."

As long as he stays out of trouble.

I hope it works out for us. Losing Gomez and essentially Cabrera, we lose A LOT of personality. However, if Hardy can play like he did before last season, it'll be WELL worth it.

i love this trade! gomez obviously isnt a major league player and a defensive replacement type player. Hardy could do probably no worse then he did last year and worse case scenario is he has a year like last year but the sad thing is its still better then punto and harris. Basically its an upgrade no matter what and maybe they resign cabrera and move him to second since his arm is wearing down with age.