Wow, that was fast.
Earlier this week, a Minnesota paper reported that the Twins were going to deal a pitcher to the Brewers for J.J. Hardy. They were half right.
On Friday, the Brewers dealt long-time shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for centerfielder Carlos Gomez.
While the trading of Hardy was widely expected, Brewers' GM Doug Melvin wasted little time pulling the trigger on the trade, suggesting that he had already talked to a large number of clubs about Hardy and found little interest. The timing also means avoid having to decide whether or not to offer arbitration to Hardy, as well as telegraphs the Brewers' interest in Mike Cameron. It was not announced whether or not the Brewers view Gomez as they everyday starting centerfielder and are ready to let Mike Cameron move on, or if Gomez is earmarked for a reserve role and Cameron is still of interest.
Adam McCalvy also indicated that Gomez is likely to be the new leadoff hitter, which would likely mean that the Brewers are going to take a pass on Felipe Lopez, as well as move Weeks further back in the line-up. While Gomez's career .246 BA is nothing to write home about, he is going to be only 24 next season and has room to improve. Although another right-handed bat, Gomez stole 14 bases and hit .261 on the road last year.
Apparently, Doug Melvin was either not interested in any of the Twins' young pitchers, or the Twins were not willing to part with any.
All in all, this gets rid of the J.J. Hardy cloud hanging over One Miller Way and brings us a new face to get excited about for 2010.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This may be the first Doug Melvin deal that I’ve absolutely hated from the second I heard about it, and haven’t found much to like about it yet. Yes, he provides speed to a lineup that was overall a pretty slow bunch, but you can’t steal first base. I was hoping that the Brewers would at least be able to get an average pitcher out of Hardy, and instead they got a below average outfielder.
I’m not too thrilled with it either. I suspect that Melvin contacted every GM last August and didn’t draw much interest and that everyone knew he’d come cheap. Other GM’s were probably hoping that the Crew wouldn’t tender him and then sign him as a free agent. I’m sure Melvin got the best he could get for him…guess the market for a .229 SS is a .229 CF.