Hardy talks progressing; he speaks about possible extension
The Orioles and shortstop J.J. Hardy continue to make progress on a three-year contract extension that would be worth between $7 million and $8.5 million per season, according to two baseball sources.
“My thought is that I still hope it gets done,” Hardy said. “I know my agent and [Orioles director of baseball operations] Matt Klentak have been talking. I don’t know exactly where they are at or what they are thinking. If it gets done or not before the trade deadline, I don’t know what their thoughts are. But I still say I hope it gets done.”
The sides are attempting to iron out several issues, including specific contract value and some type of no-trade clause, which Hardy would like after being with three teams since 2009. The Orioles haven’t given a full no-trade clause to a player since Melvin Mora in 2006, but both Nick Markakis (eight clubs) and Brian Roberts (12 clubs in 2011, full protection in 2012) have limited clauses built into their extensions.
“Yes, I’d like [some] no-trade. I know how they have done it in the past with Markakis and Brian Roberts. It’s not a whole lot of teams,” Hardy said. “Yeah, that’s a big part of it. Money a little bit. The fact I’d know where I’d be somewhere for a little while. I think there are a lot of things that play a factor. If something doesn’t get done, then I would have that choice in the offseason to make something like that happen.”
If the Orioles can’t agree to an extension soon, they’ll have to consider dealing Hardy by the nonwaiver trade deadline at the end of July, since he is their best trade chip and he likely would not clear waivers. Hardy, 28, is batting .277 with 13 homers and 33 RBIs and has made just two errors in 62 games this season.
Another option would be to hold on to Hardy, offer him arbitration at the end of the year and get two high draft picks if he signs elsewhere as a free agent. Although the club does not characterize its negotiations with players, both sides seem to consider extending Hardy as the best option.
Despite what likely will be the Orioles’ 14th consecutive losing season, Hardy said he believes the team has talent and likes the direction taken by manager Buck Showalter, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and owner Peter Angelos.
“I see a pretty good lineup. I see a lot of pieces, like Wieters, Adam Jones, Markakis. If Brian Roberts can stay healthy, that’s five pretty good guys that are filling up the field,” Hardy said. “The pitchers, I feel like you see potential. Everyone sees potential. They are young, and another year under their belts will do wonders. … And I do believe Andy MacPhail, Buck and Peter are doing everything they possibly can to make this a winning team. That’s something I have to believe and go from there.”
If Hardy signs a three-year deal, he likely would be a bridge to top prospect Manny Machado, who is 19 and playing at High-A Frederick. It’s something Hardy has done in the past. In Milwaukee, he was the incumbent while shortstop Alcides Escobar was considered one of the better prospects in baseball.
Hardy said what’s most important is knowing where he’ll be playing for the next couple of seasons.
“This sport has just been that way, you never really know what is going on,” Hardy said. “It’s tough. That is probably the toughest thing for me in this sport. That’s why I feel like I’d like to be somewhere for a while.”
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Okaaay kevvinnnnnnnn. Everybody's gotta be someplace, right? No, seriously, i love a guy who gets up to fis neck in dredging dpoil snd thinks he smells perfume. I'm serious! I love the guy! He's a no-ego or low-ego dude who sounds like ge's thinkin of his family. Signhim.
Posted by: J.roberts | July 15, 2011 6:38 PM
"Buck, McPhail, and Peter are doing everything they possibly can to make this a winning team" ???????
J.J. we may have to drug test you before you sign the new contract.
Posted by: dspedden | July 15, 2011 6:49 PM
God bless ya, JJ, I love the attitude, but do yourself a favor and get the hell out of dodge. Although for $27 million guaranteed I'd probably stay with the suckiest org-a-ni-zation in baseball too. Let's Go Caps!
Posted by: Herschel Krustofsky | July 15, 2011 7:00 PM
That's right Manny Machado batting 218 at Fredrick after tearing it up .276 at Delmarva is going straight to the bigs in three years where he will bat ? This is one of the major problems with this organization. Promoting players that are not ready to be promoted.
Posted by: Clevesanterp | July 15, 2011 7:13 PM
does anyone think that Jake is going to last the year in the rotation? This is the Cleveland Indians he's facing. He's getting beat by guys hitting 235.
Facing the Os is like feeding at the hit trough. Or a carnival act- step right up and get your hacks in. Don't be bashful! It's easier than batting practice.
Posted by: jim66 | July 15, 2011 7:39 PM
I hope the O's are smart enough (and I'm not sure they are) to keep Machado away from the majors until 2014 at the earliest.
Posted by: Jon | July 15, 2011 7:41 PM
get the lead. give it right back. Jake is the next one headed out. By the end of july he's either having surgery or down at norfolk getting lit up.
How does an entire pitching staff go bad at the same time?
Posted by: jim66 | July 15, 2011 7:48 PM
with vladdy headed to the Orioles home-away-from-home, the Disabled List(I think it has it's own zip code), and Lee tanking but nonetheless some clubs showing some interest, would not this be a good time for the Os to get out from under those 2? Maybe swing a trade or 2 or three, dump a couple of guys. Can the timing be any better? They're playing badly anyway. Who would really care? Why not take advantage of something that only appears to be a bad thing?
Posted by: jim66 | July 15, 2011 8:14 PM
i say to the orioles quit monkeying around and get hardy signed. look at the options,but get him signed. as for andy and peter the great dong things to make the team better,to me they haven't shonwn us didly.
Posted by: deputy dog | July 15, 2011 8:31 PM
Sign him if you're serious about fielding a competitive team the next two years. If you're not, trade him away for one or two guys plus cash which might show in Y3-Y5.
Just so long as Scott isn't on next year's roster. He is ready to have a breakout AAA career.
Posted by: tunlaw | July 15, 2011 10:07 PM
Does Hardy really think that Andy and PA are doing everything to make this a winning team? Of course not, that is just pablum for the media. He sees a chance to get paid, and he could care less who pays him or where he plays. He knows this organization is dead in the water, but if his praise of Andy and PA get him finacial security, he will gladly play shortstop for a team that will lose 100 games as far as the eye can see.
Come on J.J. just take the money but don't insult our sensibilities. This organization may soon own the longest losing streak in professional sports and Andy Macphail is ready for a HoverRound. Get Real.
Posted by: Gil | July 15, 2011 10:25 PM
Just for laughs, go check out Oriole killer Andrew Miller's line tonite for the Sox against the Rays. I mean, truly bad teams let the better clubs get away with pitching that garbage against them and getting wins with what amounts to a true rag arm that couldn't find the plate if all he had to do was drop a ball into a pneumatic tube that delivered the ball straight to the heart of it.
Does Andy know what a horrible team he has assembled, Why does he continue to deny this club's run into the abyss once again by trotting out some flagrantly idiotic observation like 'the team is better' while they're in the midst of a 9 game losing streak? While they are pitching guys that could not start for the AA teams of most major league teams. Andy, wake up from your dream, this team is not even advancing sideways. After the 6-1 start, your club is playing 23 games to the bad.
Tell us what you are doing. Expound on your plan. Tell us why the Phillie model, buying arms and growing bats,was not at viable option? I for one am interested.
We're not witnessing a bad luck streak. We are watching four years of a poorly executed plan that has gone real bad real quick. play out each and every night. There is nothing good going on with this team right now.
Posted by: jim66 | July 15, 2011 10:33 PM
I like JJ but signing him for this long and for this amount of money is a mistake. Especially with a no-trade clause.
Posted by: Orsulakfan | July 15, 2011 10:43 PM
When was the last time the O's had 33 home runs from the left side of their infield, for an entire season, much less at the All Star Break? Sign Hardy, even with the no-trade clause. The last time the Os had a shortstop this good he ended up in the Hall of Fame. This shouldn't be a difficult decision. He even wants to be here. If the Reynold error situation doesn't improve try him at first base for a while. It seems to me the majority of his errors are throwing errors. At first base that would be much less of a problem. They NEED his power in the lineup. He may strike out a lot but his lifetime on base percentage is .335 and so far this year he's ahead of that pace. He's also on pace to get between 90 and 100 RBIs and between 90 and 100 walks. It just seesm to me that Hardy ands Reynolds could be half of a very solid infield, however you configure it (Reynolds at either 3rd or 1st). And both are in their 20s. It seems that locking up Hardy for a while should be a no brainer and the next priority should be (and I hate to say this) doing something serious about the 2nd base situation. I love Brian Roberts, but........
Posted by: JohnBoy | July 15, 2011 11:49 PM
best shortstop since cal one of the rare good free agents sighnings , add it together and the bonehead orioles let him go , good grief ,no BRAINER sign him!!!!
Posted by: wyatt paden | July 16, 2011 12:07 AM
I wish everyone would quit with the "bridge to Manny Machado" talk already. We've spent too much time and money hiring bridges to "can't-miss" kids like Bell, Snyder, and a half-dozen pitchers. The very best players in single-A have about a fifty-fifty chance of an MLB career. We need to put a team on the field now, and not sit around waiting for a kid who may well never show up.
Posted by: uncle goose | July 16, 2011 9:25 AM
If Hardy thinks that A.M. and P.A. are doing all they can to make the team better that he DEFINITELY needs to take a drug test and it must happen soon. Why would any good player want to come and play for this joke of an organization I'll never know. Hopefully the Mayflower vans will be pulling up to Camden Yards soon to take this garbage to some other city. We deserve BETTER!
Posted by: chuck | July 16, 2011 10:16 AM
Trade Hardy (package) to St. Louis for C Mart. He does not serve as great a purpose as does an electric AA arm that is 2013 ready. No Brainer...deal Hardy.
Posted by: deebs | July 16, 2011 12:36 PM
Trade Hardy (package) to St. Louis for C Mart. He does not serve as great a purpose as does an electric AA arm that is 2013 ready. No Brainer...deal Hardy.
Posted by: deebs | July 16, 2011 1:03 PM
Hopefully, Pittsburgh's ascent to the top of the NL Central Division can inspire some vision for the O's organization as well as some urgency in the Reds' and Cardinals' front offices to engage in a bidding war for Hardy.
Posted by: Osin11 | July 16, 2011 1:06 PM