Immediate Reaction to J.J. Hardy Extension

Image Credit: G. Fiume/Getty Images

First, let’s be clear: I don’t know if this is considered an exten2ion, or a new 2igning, or what. What I know is that yesterday, Hardy was an Oriole through this post2eason, and today, Hardy is an Oriole for another three year2. Immediate reaction:

OK, I’m thrilled that J.J. Hardy is returning to the Orioles. Here are the reasons:

• Despite a huge drop-off in power from his previous years with the Orioles, Hardy is a good offensive shortstop. He will hover around the .260 average, and has pop. Do I think he’s a 30 HR guy anymore? No. Do I think he’s a useful piece in a good lineup to stick in the 6th or 7th spot? Yes. Yes. Yes.
• Hardy is simply one of the best defenders in the game. Don’t give me stats. Don’t try to overthink this. Watch Hardy play, and tell me that he doesn’t do everything right. Positioning, check. Making the difficult look easy, check. Making the routine… routine, check.
• With questions over Many Machado’s durability, locking down a strong shortstop is essential for the Orioles moving forward. If the worst should happen… if Manny is not able to be the third baseman (or shortstop!) of the future, that brings the shopping list back down to one.
• Hardy is now unavailable to be signed by the Yankees. Watching that happen could have been a very difficult pill to swallow.
• Hardy is part of what makes this clubhouse what it is. He’s a key piece of the veteran leadership that is redefining Orioles Magic. Don’t believe me? Watch Hardy and Schoop in interviews together. Watch Schoop become a better defender because of playing with Hardy.
• Because he’s a fan favorite. Yes, this has burned us in the past (we get it, Roberts was also a popular middle infielder in his thirties). As a fan, keeping Hardy in Baltimore is a win.

I know that this move is not without risk. His back could become an issue moving forward. His offensive skills could continue to decline. Hardy is on the wrong side of thirty and getting money on the wrong side of $40MM. There is a lot that could go wrong. But Hardy gave the Orioles well more than his previous 3/$22MM contract, and I believe he has more to give. I love this signing, I just hope I still love it in three years.

The timing could not be better. Hardy’s extension was announced while Orioles fans wait, pace, and eat each other on Twitter, in anticipation of ALCS Game 1. They now have a great story to discuss. And come player introductions for the game… well, I don’t doubt that Ryan Wagner and his 48,000 assistants will voice their approval.