also available at www.SethSpeaks.net –
This JJ Hardy trade that sent the oft-injured, but better-than-big-league-average shortstop to the Baltimore Orioles (with Brendan Harris and a half-million dollars) in exchange for relievers James Hoey and Brett Jacobson certainly has people talking. As you would expect, I’m kind of lukewarm on the trade, but I want to link two different yet both very interesting angles on the trade.
Check out both John Bonnes’s blog from today and Nick Nelson’s blog from today. I think both will make you think, and then you can decide for yourself. Before Commenting, be sure to read both of the above articles.
SethSpeaks.net 
It Stinks!
1. It’s a money dump.
2. I understand the Twins must operate to a budget.
3. However, they are taking a big risk with two unproven MLB middle infielders.
4. There’s no “SS Valencia” in AAA to help. Plouffe hasn’t proved it yet in AAA.
5. If they sign Pavano then I believe it’s a bigger mistake. I rather have Hardy and a top relief pitcher and two comp picks instead of Pavano.
Hey Seth, looking at the stats of Hoey reminded me of Juan Morillo. Whatever happened to him? Is he still with the Twins?
The loss of Hardy will dramatically affect the team as a whole. By moving Casilla to SS as a regular will also weaken the bench. If the Twins bring Thome back, I would have felf more comfortable with a bench of Casilla, Thome, Butera, and Repko. By making Casilla a regular, and losing Hardy’s righthanded bat, it probably increases Tolbert’s likelihood of making the team. He will clearly take over Punto’s spot for ridicule – a (s)crappy infielder who can’t hit his weight. I would have preferred having Hardy as a regular and Casilla on the bench, to having Casilla as a regular and Tolbert on the bench.
My guess is that Hoey will make the team and Jacobson will start the year in New Britain – only because of the need for a power arm in the pen. The only good thing about the trade is that Bill Smith convinced Andy MacPhail to take Harris off our hands.
The salary dump still surprises me a bit. With $27 million coming off the books after the 2011 season (Nathan, Cuddyer & Kubel) you would think we could keep a premier SS while Nishioka works his way into MLB in the USA.
“There’s no “SS Valencia” in AAA to help. Plouffe hasn’t proved it yet in AAA.
”
I remember a LOT of people saying similar things about Valencia last off-season. I will wait and see.