Are the Orioles going to trade J.J. Hardy?
-- Ryan F., Aberdeen, Md.
No. There's a very slim chance Hardy is dealt, with executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette saying earlier this week that the club is not shopping the Gold Glove shortstop.
Hearing his name come up in rumors shouldn't surprise anyone. Hardy's combination of power and defense -- plus his contract status, as he enters the final year of a three-year, $22 million deal -- is enticing in trade talks with other clubs. But the Orioles would have to be blown away by a deal to move the All-Star this winter.
The captain of the infield, Hardy is a big part of Baltimore's turnaround and moving him -- particularly with third baseman Manny Machado coming off of knee surgery -- would leave a gaping hole in the infield. The Orioles are also trying to fill a hole at second base. Trading Hardy just doesn't make sense, especially with no immediate solution on the horizon. Even if the organization plans to move Machado to shortstop, which hasn't been decided, there's no heir apparent at third base, leaving another spot to fill this winter.
Baltimore Official Site
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