JJ Hardy Traded to Twins for Carlos Gomez

[Little Slide Rooter]

Twins Acquire J.J. Hardy For Carlos Gomez

By Tim Dierkes [November 6 at 10:57am CST]

The Twins acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy for center fielder Carlos Gomez, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

 

While I expected the Brewers to snag a young pitcher for Hardy, I like the move for both sides. Center field was certainly a need for the Brewers with Mike Cameron eligible for free agency. While Gomez hasn't had offensive success in his career, his stellar defense is unquestionable.

 

Hardy is a huge addition for the Twins, who entered the offseason needing upgrades at shorstop, third base, and second base. Due to an August demotion by the Brewers, Hardy is under team control for 2010 and 2011.

 

Interesting move. The Brewers could have at least got a solid 3-4 starter for Hardy rather than a light hitting speedster. Makes one wonder if they plan on shopping Fielder or Weeks for a starter.

[Derwood]

Hot Stove starting early this year

[Tarver]

So they sell low on a power hitting SS to pick up another Corey Patterson?

 

Gomez is the epitome of replacement level. What an awful, awful trade.

[inari]

I like Hardy a ton, but I doubt they could've gotten a "solid" starter for him. I wish the Cubs would've gone for Hardy.

[ELCABALLO45]

If we couldn't get any "good" starting pitching for Hardy, getting the best defensive CF in baseball isn't that bad as most Brewer fans are going to make it sound like. Im actually excited for the move.

 

Its also a good pick up for the Twins as well.

[Sever82]

If we couldn't get any "good" starting pitching for Hardy, getting the best defensive CF in baseball isn't that bad as most Brewer fans are going to make it sound like. Im actually excited for the move.

 

Its also a good pick up for the Twins as well.

 

I mean Gomez is still young but he's a below average hitter. I think they could've got more for Hardy in all honesty, maybe a Liriano+Gomez for Hardy and a low prospect. Seems the brewers did the Twins a favor on this trade. Also looks like Cabrera is now available, i wouldn't mind the cubs picking him up for one year while Castro waits.

[ELCABALLO45]

If we couldn't get any "good" starting pitching for Hardy, getting the best defensive CF in baseball isn't that bad as most Brewer fans are going to make it sound like. Im actually excited for the move.

 

Its also a good pick up for the Twins as well.

 

I mean Gomez is still young but he's a below average hitter. I think they could've got more for Hardy in all honesty, maybe a Liriano+Gomez for Hardy and a low prospect. Seems the brewers did the Twins a favor on this trade. Also looks like Cabrera is now available, i wouldn't mind the cubs picking him up for one year while Castro waits.

 

He is a below average hitter, but again his defense alone makes him worth playing IMO. Nothing wrong with wanting to have a good defensive team in the 2 most important spots (SS and CF)

[SouthSideRyan]

Below average hitter is rather kind to Gomez. And it's anecdotal, but didn't the carpet at the Metrodome help speedy players out?

[ELCABALLO45]

Below average hitter is rather kind to Gomez. And it's anecdotal, but didn't the carpet at the Metrodome help speedy players out?

 

Even when he was with the mets they considered him the best defensive player on the team. And fastest.

[Sever82]

Below average hitter is rather kind to Gomez. And it's anecdotal, but didn't the carpet at the Metrodome help speedy players out?

 

Ok ok, maybe more like, he's a steve Trachsel type of hitter.

[Sever82]

If we couldn't get any "good" starting pitching for Hardy, getting the best defensive CF in baseball isn't that bad as most Brewer fans are going to make it sound like. Im actually excited for the move.

 

Its also a good pick up for the Twins as well.

 

I mean Gomez is still young but he's a below average hitter. I think they could've got more for Hardy in all honesty, maybe a Liriano+Gomez for Hardy and a low prospect. Seems the brewers did the Twins a favor on this trade. Also looks like Cabrera is now available, i wouldn't mind the cubs picking him up for one year while Castro waits.

 

He is a below average hitter, but again his defense alone makes him worth playing IMO. Nothing wrong with wanting to have a good defensive team in the 2 most important spots (SS and CF)

 

True but then you have three pitchers batting in your order instead of one. I still think Escobar will be a crappy hitter.

[Smack]

So the Brewers are seriously going to throw out a lineup with Alcides Escobar, Jason Kendall, and Carlos Gomez as everyday players? Throw in Casey McGehee (who's going to wake up and realize he's still Casey McGehee any day now) and they could be a bottom 5 offense with a weak rotation. If they trade Prince for pitching now, they will be fielding the worst offensive team in baseball.

 

Hardy hit 50 HRs over 2 years (07/08) at the SS position. What a terrible, terrible trade.

[Sever82]

So the Brewers are seriously going to throw out a lineup with Alcides Escobar, Jason Kendall, and Carlos Gomez as everyday players? Throw in Casey McGehee (who's going to wake up and realize he's still Casey McGehee any day now) and they could be a bottom 5 offense with a weak rotation. If they trade Prince for pitching now, they will be fielding the worst offensive team in baseball.

 

Hardy hit 50 HRs over 2 years (07/08) at the SS position. What a terrible, terrible trade.

 

Naw i dont think they'll trade Fielder for pitching, i highly doubt it. I think they'll go out and sign a pitcher. They're not dumb enough to trade Fielder now if they're not going to resign cameron since they got gomez.

[ELCABALLO45]

So the Brewers are seriously going to throw out a lineup with Alcides Escobar, Jason Kendall, and Carlos Gomez as everyday players? Throw in Casey McGehee (who's going to wake up and realize he's still Casey McGehee any day now) and they could be a bottom 5 offense with a weak rotation. If they trade Prince for pitching now, they will be fielding the worst offensive team in baseball.

 

Hardy hit 50 HRs over 2 years (07/08) at the SS position. What a terrible, terrible trade.

 

Kendall is a FA

 

And they are not trading Prince

[SouthSideRyan]

I thought it was assumed that Kendall would be back.

[17 Seconds]

i love gomez's career OPS+ of 73 and OBP of .292

 

also, for a guy as fast as him, he doesn't steal bases at a very good rate

[ELCABALLO45]

I thought it was assumed that Kendall would be back.

 

Its possible. The Brewers have 2 catching prospects coming up soon. If we sign Kendall to a one year deal, I will be upset. But its not a sure thing

[Smack]

So the Brewers are seriously going to throw out a lineup with Alcides Escobar, Jason Kendall, and Carlos Gomez as everyday players? Throw in Casey McGehee (who's going to wake up and realize he's still Casey McGehee any day now) and they could be a bottom 5 offense with a weak rotation. If they trade Prince for pitching now, they will be fielding the worst offensive team in baseball.

 

Hardy hit 50 HRs over 2 years (07/08) at the SS position. What a terrible, terrible trade.

 

Kendall is a FA

 

And they are not trading Prince

 

So a replacement level catcher (an upgrade over Kendall), Escobar, and Gomez. Plus at 2B you have a huge injury risk in Weeks. I think they would be crazy to trade Prince too. If Weeks and Hart don't produce next year it's going to be cheap tickets for me at Miller Park by the All-Star break.

[Gmoney08]

Who would you rather have in CF for the future Gomez or Pie? I remember they were compared alot a couple years ago.

[17 Seconds]

Who would you rather have in CF for the future Gomez or Pie? I remember they were compared alot a couple years ago.

 

i think i'd rather take a shot at pie. at least he has a chance of learning how to hit. it seems like even if gomez does reach his offensive ceiling, it's only going to be juan pierre.

[SouthSideRyan]

Pie has hit the ball at some point in his life.

[sneakypower]

i've got battered wife syndrome with gomez, he's too toolsy for me to give up on

[CUBZ99]

OUCH! Somebody doesn't like Gomez.

 

http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_13730028?source=rss

 

Carlos Gomez has talent, the greatest of which is raw speed. He also has the baseball instincts of an Icelandic grade-schooler. As wonderful as he was to watch play center field, Gomez was a disaster everywhere else. He was clueless in the batters' box. And he was prone to base-running gaffes, one of which probably cost the Twins a playoff game against the Yankees.

 

If nothing else, his departure to the Milwaukee Brewers will add years to the life of Twins first base coach Jerry White. Poor Jerry had the unenviable task of trying to keep Go-Go from getting picked off. That was tough sledding.

[David]

So does this open the door a little more for us to get Cameron?

[17 Seconds]

i almost forgot that gomez was like the centerpiece in the santana trade.

 

ouch