Minnesota Twins acquire J.J. Hardy from Brewers for Carlos Gomez

Apologies for my mistake in an earlier post--apparently Cabrera is out the door. It's funny how the Crede thing remains a big question mark for everyone. He played well defensively and did look good at the plate when his back wasn't bothering him. The Twins, however, should not forget that it was at the end of the season when Crede had to leave the line-up. They might be signing a player who is only good for half a season if they do agree to whatever Crede is asking. Still, if Hardy can regain his form, and Crede can be healthy at third, the Twins might have a lot of power in the line-up and a couple good fielders on the left side of the infield. It will be interesting to see what the Twins do regarding their starting pitching rotation.

The rock vs stone cold in WM 26...

This trade was a steal for the Twins. I wonder if Orlando Cabrera could play 3rd? He wouldn't need the range of a SS...

When Hardy runs the bases, he resembles a bobble-head. He has no leadership skills and is not a very tough guy... mentally or physically. Ithink playing with his buddies from the minors stunted his maturity and this trade is the best thing that could have happened to him. Go Brewers and Twins! Vikings Suck!

What a perfect trade! Sending Gomez to Milwaukee, the home of beer is the perfect place for Go-Go. He ran the bases like he was drunk so now he'll fit right in. Hopefully Hardy will improve Billy's track record when it comes to acquiring "talent." Gomez might play the game at a major league level someday, but Hardy has already proven that he can do exactly that. Yes, last year was a bad one for him, but every player just about, goes through that so let's start a new chapter for him as a Twin and let's see if that talent he has comes back to the surface. So long Go-Go! Say hi to Bernie the Brewer for me and see if he'll let you slide down into the suds. It's on the way to third base. Honest....

1LT in 101st Airborne wrote:

This trade was a steal for the Twins. I wonder if Orlando Cabrera could play 3rd? He wouldn't need the range of a SS...

I don't think the Twins are interested in signing Cabrera. If they were smart, they'd try to sign Chone Figgins to play third.

As you know, my analysis is generally spot-on, and i like this trade. As you know, my assessment of Gomez as the expendable outfielder was entirely correct. My uncanny baseball intuition also tells me that inept coaching by the second-rate Brewers organization was a major contributing factor to Hardy's slump. The Twins will correct this and Hardy will play well here.Vavra and Gardy will get his head right. As you know, my predictions are usually quite accurate and i'm saying Hardy will hit .280-.290 for the Twins.

now trade perkins, bonser and crain or liriano for uggla and a low prospect. Bonser almost no longer has a positon on the team with neshek coming back and smith wanting to get more experienced arms in the back of the pen and i think bonser doesnt fit our long relief role. Perkins has pissed off the twins brass one to many times and i think has finally punched his ticket out of here. And Liriano might be the tipping peice in the trade. Or they could offer all four people and a prospect for uggla and josh joshnson to get our top of the order pitcher

sooperthanksforasking wrote:

It looks like a good move for both teams, and a couple of players that could use a change of scenery.
possible lineup
1.Span-cf
2.Polanco-2b?
3.Mauer-c
4.Morneau-1b
5.Cuddyer-rf
6.Kubel-dh
7.Hardy-ss
8.Young-lf
9.Valencia-3b?
Not much speed, but a pretty good lineup IMO
9.

Signing Polanco would be a mistake becuase we could get orlando hudson for the same price. Plus signing Polanco would make us give a first round draft pick to the tigers.

If they talked to Crede, they're not putting Hardy at third. Now is the time to address who will be the starters. If you resign Pavano, you don't need Liriano or Perkins. We could trade them for something more valuable.

Mike wrote:

If they talked to Crede, they're not putting Hardy at third. Now is the time to address who will be the starters. If you resign Pavano, you don't need Liriano or Perkins. We could trade them for something more valuable.

The Twins don't have much excess pitching to trade. Remember that in July and August the Twins were sending Swarzak, an unproven Duensing and even Manship to the mound. While they may not have an excess, they probably should trade Perkins, because of the way he has handled himself.

Flatblade wrote:

<quoted text>
The Twins don't have much excess pitching to trade. Remember that in July and August the Twins were sending Swarzak, an unproven Duensing and even Manship to the mound. While they may not have an excess, they probably should trade Perkins, because of the way he has handled himself.

If the Twins sign Pavano, it may be very difficult for Perkins, Liriano and Bonser to even make the team.

No way will Hardy accept the move to third. He has been very definitive about that.Forget it.

nsbmercer wrote:

No way will Hardy accept the move to third. He has been very definitive about that.Forget it.

No one, other than fans with short attention spans, have suggested that Hardy change positions. The Twins have needed a shortstop since they traded Bartlett. They now have one.

Flatblade wrote:

<quoted text>
No one, other than fans with short attention spans, have suggested that Hardy change positions. The Twins have needed a shortstop since they traded Bartlett. They now have one.

thank you. i hate it when people say move hardy to third. WE DONT HAVE A SHORT STOP ON THE TEAM that is why we traded for one. Pluse we have valencia almost ready to get called up. So we sign a third basemen for one more year and keep punto at second or we trade for uggla who can play either postion

Arrogant American wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't think the Twins are interested in signing Cabrera. If they were smart, they'd try to sign Chone Figgins to play third.

You can forget about Figgins. He was declared a type "A" free agent. If the Twins were to try to sign him, they not only would have to give the likely over $10 million per year contract (which would probably eliminate the Twins already), but they would also have to give up a 1st round pick.
I would love for them to get Beltre, but it sounds like he wants to stay on the west coast (and also might still be out of the Twins notoriously cheap price range). Other than that, the list of possible 3B free agents isn't too impressive: Glaus, Crosby, Mora, DeRosa. Makes me think the Twins will try to offer Crede another incentive laden deal or hope that a guy like Valencia can make the step up next season.