The importance of a J.J. Hardy bounce-back

[joeyc]

I think JJ is done. he did have a bounce back once before, but he was younger then.

[weams]

I think JJ is done. he did have a bounce back once before, but he was younger then.

You think he will retire or will he just play out his contract?

[Can_of_corn]

If he has another year in 2016, like he had in 2015, we can only hope that he pulls a Cuddyer.

I agree a buyout of some sort would be in the cards.

[Frobby]

If he has another year in 2016, like he had in 2015, we can only hope that he pulls a Cuddyer.

Yes, but I'm not that negative on his prospects.

[Frobby]

What do you rate the odds of him staying healthy this year?

Completely healthy? Not that high. Considerably healthier than last year? Probably 75%.

[Can_of_corn]

Did the Mets pick up some of the last year?

No official word.

http://nypost.com/2015/12/12/michael-cuddyer-toll-on-my-body-has-caught-up-to-me/

Mets officials clammed up when asked whether they paid Cuddyer, who had $12.5 million coming to him in 2016, a buyout. Cuddyer, asked the same question in a telephone news conference Saturday, said, “It’s not something that I need to talk about. I will say that in handling the situation, the Mets were first-class all the way. It was a unique situation. Jeff [Wilpon, Mets COO] handled, it and the Mets handled it, with tremendous respect and tremendous class the whole time.”

But "respect" and "class" generally translates as cash in athlete speak.

[Frobby]

Torn labrum. Not fixed. Plus a back that acts up. Wish I shared your optimism.

It's my nature.

[ShadySideJoe]

I hope he can get back to being a everyday player and just get on base. I we don't need home runs we need timely hits

[Redskins Rick]

It's my nature.

I share you optimism on Hardy.

Reports from Fan Fest are encouraging:

Asked about the shoulder at FanFest, Hardy said, "Good, strong. I got started working out earlier this year than I ever have. I think I've got about seven weeks under my belt now. It feels strong. Everything's feeling good.

"I'm actually holding more weight than I've ever done. It's a little bit different than anything I've done in the last 15 years, but I figured I'd try something different as I'm getting older. I think it's working."

[MDtransplant757]

I share you optimism on Hardy.

Reports from Fan Fest are encouraging:

Thank god. He's my 2nd favorite behind Adam Jones.

[25 Nuggets]

I share you optimism on Hardy.

Reports from Fan Fest are encouraging:

It's a big if for sure. IF Hardy has an average year of 92-ish OPS+ it would be a tremendous upgrade in the lineup over last year's Hardy, E. Cabrera and friends. And Hardy could still be the #9 hitter.

[Frobby]

It's a big if for sure. IF Hardy has an average year of 92-ish OPS+ it would be a tremendous upgrade in the lineup over last year's Hardy, E. Cabrera and friends. And Hardy could still be the #9 hitter.

In 2012, Hardy had an OPS+ of 81 (raw OPS .671) and was still worth 3.2 rWAR and we went to the playoffs. In 2014, Hardy had an OPS+ of 90 (raw OPS .682) and was still worth 3.3 rWAR and we won the division title. In other words, Hardy doesn't need to be spectacular offensively to be a player who helps us win. But he needs to hit better than last year's dismal performance, and he needs to be healthy enough to stay on the field and play his usual brand of defense.

[FanSince88]

I hope he can get back to being a everyday player and just get on base. I we don't need home runs we need timely hits

News flash: Hardy never got on base very much, even when healthy.

[FanSince88]

It will be an achievement if he breaks .600 OPS in 2016. I don't see him hitting those mid-.600 projections. I hope he proves me wrong, though.

[Frobby]

It will be an achievement if he breaks .600 OPS in 2016. I don't see him hitting those mid-.600 projections. I hope he proves me wrong, though.

I'll be extremely disappointed if Hardy posts a sub-.600 OPS. I think the projections I saw are pretty reasonable. Of course, a lot depends on his health.