The Orioles have discussed potential trades for Jason Bartlett and J.J. Hardy with the Rays and Twins, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles discussed trading David Hernandez to the Rays for Bartlett, but the deal seems unlikely at this point.
Hardy is a non-tender candidate after a 2010 season in which he missed time with a bruised wrist and batted .268/.320/.394 in 375 plate appearances. The 28-year-old continued to play strong defense, according to UZR.
Like Hardy, Bartlett is heading into his final year as an arbitration eligible player. He earned $4MM in 2010, while Hardy made $5.1MM. Bartlett batted .254/.324/.350 in 532 plate appearances. If they trade the 31-year-old, the Rays could pencil Reid Brignac in at short.
O’s president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail wouldn’t comment on specific players, but said he has had some “productive disucssions” at the GM Meetings in Orlando. The team could still bring back free agent shortstop Cesar Izturis.
Please give us Bartlett. I Would not mind trading Hernandez for him, although he is a fan favorite of mine. What does everyone think it would take to land Bartlett for the O’s? I’d pass on Hardy though.
I don’t mind trading for Bartlett, but I don’t think it should be Hernandez unless a back-end prospect is added by the Rays. Bartlett is for only one year, a year that the O’s aren’t likely to be competitive. Hernandez should be a solid relief pitcher, who is cheap and under control for years.
Good point there about the years under control. I did not even consider that. I would hope Machado is ready in a year or two, but yea it might not be a good idea for a year rental.
What makes Bartlett a more desirable option than Hardy? I guess if you want speed, or are that worried about a potential million dollar difference in salary… but Hardy is a vastly superior player.
Hardy would be the better choice out of the two.
This is just another example of why the Twins should absolutely tender JJ Hardy, whether they want him or not (they SHOULD want him; he’s a well above average SS at a reasonable price, something they haven’t had in a long time).
Plenty of teams would line up to trade for Hardy at 1 year/$6M.
Izturis would be a great backup middle infielder for the Braves if the O’s don’t offer him a contract. With Uggla and Gonzalez up the middle they could use a defensive specialist. I am going to ignore his .619 career OPS. He could be the modern day Rafael Belliard (career .530 OPS.)
I wonder if the Yankees would look into JJ Hardy if the Jeter negotiations do happen to fall through. They let Bernie Williams, Matsui, Reggie Jackson etc. go before so I don’t think it’s that crazy if it would happen.
They SHOULD. It would make them a better team. Hardy’s a better overall player than Jeter at this point.
But no way that happens. Jeter is different than those guys in the fans’ eyes. They’ll come to a resolution wildly overpaying for the most overhyped/overrated baseball player of our lifetimes.
I’m no Yankee fan. Let me start out by saying that.
But the thing about Jeter…is that on a dollar-for-dollar basis, he probably IS worth more to the Yankees than JUST his baseball skill. If you have to give Jeter $30MM this year, but you make $40MM marketing him, that’s a net gain, right?
I mean, yes, in baseball terms, you could find a more skilled replacement at this point in his career. But the Yankees will still have a great deal of success, even with a less-than-his-best Jeter at short…
I’ll freely admit this, “Baseball is a Business” nonsense is heresy on a site like this, but it would go a ways towards explaining why the Yankees might be “overpaying” for Jeter…
I hear ya. Of course he has marketing/PR value, much like Mauer does with the Twins. But not $40M worth. Not even $20M worth. Probably not even $10M worth.
If there wasn’t Jeter there would be someone else. I have a hard time believing that 1 player makes that much of a difference in the biggest baseball market in the country.
Whatever happens at least its interesting whats happening and even thinking that Jeter could play for another team is just weird but baseballs also a business. The Yankees should stand their ground though and say 3 years take it or leave it. I wonder if they ever thought of moving Cano to ss and Jeter to 2nd I don’t see why not.
I doubt Cano would play SS very well. Of course, Jeter doesn’t either (ridiculously old GG-voting writers’ opinions aside).
I’ve said often that the Yankees should say: “OK Derek, you go out and seek the best legitimate contract offer you can find on the FA market. And we’ll pay you $1M more.” They’d end up paying something like $25M over 3 years in that case probably, not $21M per.
The Twins should look into trading Hardy and a minor prospect for the Orioles Jeremy Guthrie.
The Twins could really use guthrie in their rotation.
We could really use a great defensive shortstop with some pop in his bat too.
We’re overloaded with 2/3/4 starters. Don’t need another one.
Agreed. Hardy’s a far bigger need for the Twins than “decent’ starting pitching. It’s seriously mind-boggling that they’re even considering non-tendering Hardy in this incredibly weak MI market.
There’s no indications that they’re actually considering it. Just speculation from outside observers.
You really undervalue Jeremy Guthrie. No way the O’s would make that trade.
The Orioles have a bunch of good young starting pitchers. Like Arrieta, Matusz, Bergensen, and Tillman. If the Twins Traded them Hardy and a prospect I think that would be a good trade.
It would have to be a pretty good prospect and the Twins would have to allow the O’s to negotiate an extension w/ Hardy prior to the trade.
So because the O’s have more starters, they would take a poor return on their best starter?
Unless the Twins are trading one of their top 10 prospects, how does that make any sense?
I’m not convinced that there is ANY one prospect from the Twins that gives the Os value for Guthrie. Possibly yes, but I’m not convinced.
So how about Hardy for Matusz even up.
Hmm, tempting.
I’m a die hard Twins fan, and I would like that trade.
No way !
More like Morneau for Matusz (and a prospect). Matusz has that kind of talent.
Hahahahahaha I sure hope that was a joke. An MVP first baseman with great power and good average and arguably the best fielding 1B in baseball for an unproven young struggling SP prospect…yea, and if that didn’t sound dumb enough with you saying Morneau you said (and a prospect). Wow good one Haha
Not that anyone is seriously considering Matusz for Morneau, but you’d also need to factor in that Matusz is under club control for another 6 years, Morneau is making $14M per for the next 3 (still a bargain).
You’d also need to factor in that Matusz has 6 years of club control left, Morneau is making $14M per for the next 3 years (which is still a bargain). The trade wouldn’t make sense for either side.
BTW, I’d hardly call Matusz “struggling”. The guy did finish 5th in the ROY voting.
4-1 with 2.43 ERA in August and 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in september. I think this guy may have worked some things out once Showalter showed up. I wouldn’t be so quick to say he’s struggling, this guy has a very bright future.
4-1 with 2.43 ERA in August and 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in september. I think this guy may have worked some things out once Showalter showed up. I wouldn’t be so quick to say he’s struggling, this guy has a very bright future.
I meant Matusz plus a prospect for Morneau. I think that was clear to everyone except maybe you. Matusz is not considered to be “struggling” after what he did in August and September, and he did it pitching in the AL East.
By the way, you forgot to mention that Morneau spent the last half of the season on the DL.
I love Justin, but if the Orioles called up and offered that, he’d have to console himself that at least he’ll be playing somewhere it’s easier to hit home runs.
How about Hardy for Jason Berken even up.
Don’t care about either team but Matusz for hardy is a huge ripoff for the Orioles. That guy looked really really good at the end of the season.
Don’t care about either team but Matusz for hardy is a huge ripoff for the Orioles. That guy looked really really good at the end of the season.
Why are you posting, if you wont come up with something serious. you sound like a tard or a second grader
Sorry but Jeremy Guthrie would probably take a lot more to acquire then JJ Hardy. He post a sub 4 era in the AL East 3 out of 4 years now, and has pitched around 200 innings the last 2 years. Plus we have no one who is ready to fill his spot. I think the Orioles are inclined to keep him anyway.
Orioles say, thanks, but no thanks to that one.
It’s a “fair” trade for the Twins, absolutely. But you’re missing the point; the Twins don’t need Guthrie, at all. They need a guy like Hardy a lot more than they need a “decent” SP.
Jeremy Guthrie is more than a “decent” pitcher. He is still under club control for two more seasons and as a previous poster mentioned, he has posted a sub-4 ERA in 3 of the last 4 seasons in the AL East. The original suggested trade of one year of JJ Hardy and a prospect is not close to being “fair” unless that is a top prospect.
I know shortstops are a hot commodity but it shouldn’t take much to get Bartlett. He’s getting expensive and was never a good offensive option except that insane year. They might as well bring back Izturis if it’ll take too much.
Is David Hernandez really “that much”?
I’d bet the other orange and black team is in on those two players as well.
I suspect you are correct. After Uribe’s people said that he’ll peg his demands to whatevern Jeter gets, Sabean has probably gone to work on a Plan B for SS. The worst-case scenario for the Giants is that nothing gets done with Uribe for weeks until the Jeter deal is done, and by then the Giants see all the other options fall off the boards, only to see someone like the Cards throw a 3/$24m or 3/$27m deal at Uribe.
Probably true, in which case the O’s are likely considering making an offer to Uribe and Renteria as well
As a Giants fan, the O’s are a team that on paper seems to have no reason not to go after Uribe. Power bat, AL team that can have him DH, plus his versatility means no way he’s going to block any top prospects from getting playing time. It’s teams like Baltimore and Oakland that have me resigned to seeing it as very likely Uribe has put on the orange and black for the last time. Hopefully we can work something out for Hardy or Bartlett, I really like both of those guys
The Reds need to make a play for Bartlett..they have the talent to get it done now.
The Pirates should definitely look into acquiring Bartlett.
I’ll take Hardy over Bartlett in a heartbeat.
And the Twins will keep Hardy over Hernandez in a heartbeat. Which is why this deal isn’t going anywhere.
Where does it say anything about Hernandez for Hardy?
And even if that trade was proposed, don’t be surprised if the Twins take it. Hardy was already traded once for a one-tool outfielder and Hernandez has pretty good stuff and was impressive as a reliever in 2010.
I’m assuming Hernandez is their extra part, if they’re looking to move him for Bartlett.
Hardy’s stock is much higher in MN, where we don’t have a backup plan for MI, than it was with Milwaukee. We won’t be trading him for spare parts. The only chance of that happening is if we went out and either resigned Hudson or acquired another starting MI first.
Hardy looked good for us, and he was dinged up all season. If he’s healthy, he could be very above average.
We need to sign Hardy back for this year and a team option for 2012. His glove will always be there and he heated up last year in the 2nd half batting .300
Good point. Milwaukee moved him ’cause they had Escobar ready to go.
Right, but since you know all that, wouldn’t you think that the Orioles know all that as well?
Just because they considered moving Hernandez for Bartlett doesn’t mean they think they can move Hernandez for Hardy.
Hardy is a free agent in a year, that’s why trading Hernandez for Hardy wouldn’t really be a great trade for the O’s (unless the O’s could sign Hardy to an extension). Hernandez is not spare parts. He would be a starting pitcher on many rotations in baseball, and it’s possible he becomes one again for the O’s in 2011, though his skills appear to be better as a closer or set-up man as long as he’s in the AL East.
“The Orioles discussed trading David Hernandez to the Rays for Bartlett”
Right. Hernandez for Bartlett. Not Hernandez for Hardy.
I would love to have Bartlett but hate parting with Hernandez. He has been really good out of the pen.
It looks like Tampa will trade Bartlett. Hernandez looks like a good fit for Tampa, or Cinny could offer Alonzo,Frazier, plus one of their catching prospects.
Who would the Twins replace Hardy with? Why does everyone think he’s available?
Because he could be made available for the right price. If the Twins traded him away they would resign Orlando Hudson and put him back at 2B and put Casilla at SS. It is possible.
This probably isn’t the right place to put this, but I’d like the Cardinals to have either. Jason Bartlett would give the Cards the leadoff guy they’ve needed for awhile. JJ Hardy would give the Cards the power that Mo wants.
I like the Cardinals get both. Have Bartlett leadoff and have Hardy bat right infront of Pujols. That will be a dangerous line-up.
This is what the Rays are doing since they dont have no money? That is stupid. Hernandez sucks
The Rays won’t get Hernandez for Bartlett. Hernandez is only 25, showed a lot of improvement this year has too much promise to trade him for a 30 year old shortstop coming off of a weak year. The O’s would do better to include Hernandez in a trade for Hardy or a strong bat.
This is what the Rays are doing since they dont have no money? That is stupid. Hernandez sucks
KSTP-TV (Joe Schmidt) reported tonight that the Twins are closing in on a deal with the Orioles for JJ Hardy. No mention of who might be coming back to the Twins.
I hope the Orioles trade for Bartlett for a few reasons. It will take less to get him. He can steal bases and play good defense.
If you can trade a reliever for a starting SS with some talent, it seems to me like that’s a pretty good gamble.
Did someone really say “Hardy for Matusz”? lol. Are you retarded?
I think King Felix for a, idk, Cam Maybin. lol.
Matusz, some would say is one of the top 10 pitchers in the AL right now not even a full season into his career.
If he didn’t play for the O’s, he would have won probably 16-17 games this year in his first season. Dude had 23 QS.
A slight adjustment lull in July, was the only blip on his rookie campaign. From August 1st on, he was 7-1 with a 2.18 era and 10.1 k per 9inn.
I wouldn’t trade this kid straight up for anyone in the AL I don’t think. Pitcher wise of course. Maybe King Felix, but then you have to take the finances into it. Matusz isn’t super 2, and won’t even be arbitration eligible for 2 more seasons. Thats a great start to the front end of a rotation with little money.
finally someone with a brain (@ Ryan A)….most of the posts this thread were just pure idiocy.