As JJ Hardy Struggles at ST Will Orioles Reconsider A Trade?

[El Gordo]

Nobody has suggested giving Hardy away and I think I've read every response so far to my post. He is our most tradeable everyday player that can be replaced. Maybe not a gold glove replacement but very good replacement. Don't forget JJ is slow and doesn't get to some balls a speedier player would. His throws are almost automatic to first which is another plus factor in his favor. We need a right handed power bat. Reimold could be that guy. Could be......but will he stay in the lineup long enough to help us? We need a hitter or two that can hit Tampa pitching. How we do against them this year will play a major role in where we finish in the standings. I haven't checked the stats. How does Willingham do against the Rays?

There's speed and there's quickness. If speed was all that mattered at SS then guys like Mantle and Rickey Henderson would have been SS. It's positioning, the first step, and above all the arm, that matters at SS, as well as baseball IQ. Cal Ripken was one of the best defensive SS of all time and he wasn't fast, his record GIDP will attest to that. Belanger wasn't known for his speed either. Hardy got to 19 more balls than the average SS last season according to the FB, and was worth 18 RS. They ranked him #3 in the ML. We don't need a RH power bat nearly as badly as we need a top 5 SS with 20 + HR power.

[sevastras]

There's speed and there's quickness. If speed was all that mattered at SS then guys like Mantle and Rickey Henderson would have been SS. It's positioning, the first step, and above the arm, that matters at SS, as well as baseball IQ. Call Ripken was one of the best defensive SS of all time and he wasn't fast, his record GIDP will attest to that. Belanger wasn't known for his speed either. Hardy got to 19 more balls than the average SS last season according to the FB, and was worth 18 RS. They ranked him #3 in the ML. We don't need a RH power bat nearly as badly as we need a top 5 SS with 20 + HR power.

:agree:

Ripken wasnt fast in the least. But those first reactions make all the difference. I dont want to trade Hardy. He doesnt have to be a huge offensive power to be valuable to us. Manny could take up the SS position, Flaherty could as well, but JJ gives better offense than Flaherty and it is ST

[scOtt]

[Frobby]

I certainly don't think the O's have written off Machado ever playing SS. But if Hardy's on the team, Manny will be 3B full time and they'll have others sub for Hardy if he's injured or needs a rest. Casilla, Navarro and Flaherty are all capable.

As to Hardy, I do want to see him with a much higher OBP this year. 20 HR is not that meaningful when you're carrying a .282 OBP. He was still above average overall last year, but I expect more than that from him.

[El Gordo]

I certainly don't think the O's have written off Machado ever playing SS. But if Hardy's on the team, Manny will be 3B full time and they'll have others sub for Hardy if he's injured or needs a rest. Casilla, Navarro and Flaherty are all capable.

As to Hardy, I do want to see him with a much higher OBP this year. 20 HR is not that meaningful when you're carrying a .282 OBP. He was still above average overall last year, but I expect more than that from him.

You can expect more from him but you're not likely to get much more than .310 OBP. Thats just not who he is. Take the GG and the 20 HR and deal with it.

[Can_of_corn]

It seems like some people want to ship Hardy out for any half decent offer. Its silly, because if Hardy's range does ever start to drop, then you switch Hardy to 3B, with Manny moving over.

Hardy's bat doesn't play at third.

[isestrex]

Hardy's bat doesn't play at third.

Expand please?

If you take Hardy's .801 OPS from 2011 and rank him among the top 3B of 2012 (min 450 AB), he would rank 8th.

Cabrera

Beltre

A Ramirez

Wright

Headley

Freese

Zimmerman

Hardy

I'm not going to say he would be consistently elite at the position, but I think it's VERY strong to say his bat won't hold up at 3B.

[Il BuonO]

Expand please?

If you take Hardy's .801 OPS from 2011 and rank him among the top 3B of 2012 (min 450 AB), he would rank 8th.

Cabrera

Beltre

A Ramirez

Wright

Headley

Freese

Zimmerman

Hardy

I'm not going to say he would be consistently elite at the position, but I think it's VERY strong to say his bat won't hold up at 3B.

With his on again off again problems with the shoulder, I would think 2B would be a more likely scenario. Then again, not everyone can handle making the turn for the DP.

[Can_of_corn]

Expand please?

If you take Hardy's .801 OPS from 2011 and rank him among the top 3B of 2012 (min 450 AB), he would rank 8th.

Cabrera

Beltre

A Ramirez

Wright

Headley

Freese

Zimmerman

Hardy

I'm not going to say he would be consistently elite at the position, but I think it's VERY strong to say his bat won't hold up at 3B.

So you want to take Hardy's second best season, which isn't even his most recent season, and extrapolate off of that?

In four of his eight MLB seasons he has had an OPS of 714 or below. His career OPS is 740, his career OPS+ is 96, his career wOBA is 322.

He is entering his age 30 season.

[crissfan172]

Hardy's bat doesn't play at third.

In a vacuum, that's true, but Machado's offense at SS would make up for that. You get 3B offensive production from Manny and SS offensive production from Hardy. Of course...that doesn't mean they shouldn't look to improve production by replacing him with someone better.

[jabba72]

Hardy's bat doesn't play at third.

I thought fatigue played alot into Hardy's poor season last year. His bat would be alot better if he was rested more, IMO.

[ShaneDawg85]

Hardy hit a long home run today. He will clearly be AL MVP this year.

[Can_of_corn]

Hardy hit a long home run today. He will clearly be AL MVP this year.

Pretty classic Hardy home run today. Good to see.

I haven't seen anyone doubting his power.

[Il BuonO]

I haven't seen anyone doubting his power.

Everyone knows you want him to fail. Just admit it.

[Can_of_corn]

Everyone knows you want him to fail. Just admit it.

Oh Please, I am sending all my negative mojo toward Roberts, Flaherty and Steve Johnson. I don't have enough hate left for Hardy till one of those guys is off the 25 man.