Today In Brewer History: Saying Goodbye To J.J. Hardy

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 6, 2011 6:00 AM CDT in History

On this day two years ago the Brewers completed one of Doug Melvin's more controversial trades, sending J.J. Hardy to the Twins in exchange for Carlos Gomez. The Brewers had drafted Hardy with the 56th overall pick in the 2001 draft and brought him to Milwaukee for the first time during the 2005 season, where he played five years and hit 75 home runs.

At the time, it seemed possible Hardy was already on the down side of his career. After hitting a combined 50 home runs in 2007-08, he hit just .229/.302/.357 with eleven long balls in his final season in Milwaukee. At one point during the season he was sent back to AAA to make room for top prospect Alcides Escobar. Keeping Hardy in AAA for most of a month delayed his eventual free agency for an additional year.

Meanwhile, Carlos Gomez has more or less always been what Carlos Gomez is now: An offensive liability with sparkling defensive skills and speed to compare favorably to anyone else in baseball. Gomez has provided some value as a Brewer, but his offensive inadequacies have been a big enough problem to keep him from becoming a full time player. He's probably a candidate to be non-tendered this winter.

Hardy only stayed with the Twins for one year before being moved along to Baltimore. He had a big year in 2011, though, hitting 30 home runs, and parlayed that success into a three year contract extension.

With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

AZL Brewer Stephen Peterson, who turns 24.
1995-96 Brewer Brian Givens, who turns 46.
Seattle Pilot Jim Gosger, who turns 69.
1961-65 Milwaukee Brave Mack Jones, who would have turned 73.

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It begs the question

Hardy might have had more success if he used an actual bat.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 6, 2011 6:54 AM CDT reply actions

And if he wasn't clearly pregnant...

"I love it when any team called 'The Brew Crew' wins": Tad Kubler
"LOLOL I LOVE YUNI!!!!": ThroughBeingCool

by MrLeam on Nov 6, 2011 8:31 AM CST up reply actions

Eh, can't really blame Melvin for this trade in retrospect

Hardy was not very good that last year and his first year after, with the Twins. I am happy for him to have had such a great year this year but my guess is it’ll be his biggest year and he’ll fall back down to earth quite a bit. Would it have been nice to have him this past year instead of Yuni? Dear God, yes. But with Escobar waiting for his shot, I don’t really blame Doug at all for that trade.

by kotsaythebuzzkill on Nov 6, 2011 11:05 AM CST reply actions

I don't blame Melvin at all for unloading Hardy. At the time it looked like the right move.

But I do blame him for taking what appeared to be a low offer this early in the offseason.

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 6, 2011 11:31 AM CST up reply actions

That's an excellent point. I agree with that.

by kotsaythebuzzkill on Nov 6, 2011 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

Its not like the Tigers needed a shortstop, or anything

/still bitter

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."

~RRR

by Charlie Marlow on Nov 6, 2011 6:59 PM CST up reply actions

I disagree

Hardy should have been given an extension at the time. He’s an excellent defensive and offensive shortstop. Why give away a proven commodity with one poor season in favor of a hyped up, no hit, question mark in Escobar? Hardy is a bargain at the price Baltimore paid and the Brewers probably could have signed him for less at the time. Shortstop is the most important position on the field and the Brewers had their best shortstop since Robin Yount. It’s a crime that they gave him away for crap.

by tannerboyle on Nov 7, 2011 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

Even if the Brewers extend their payroll to $100m, they can't extend everyone.

I don’t disagree with some of the things you said about Hardy, but a line had to be drawn somewhere. The Brewers could either hold their increasingly expensive shortstop and have less money or make room for a top prospect and save some cash to use elsewhere.

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 7, 2011 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

This makes me sad.

I’m still a Hardy fan.

My goodness.

by BrewHaHeather on Nov 6, 2011 8:56 PM CST reply actions

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