Carlos Gomez out, JJ Hardy in

[Devilzsidewalk]

Twins get shortstop Hardy from Brewers for outfielder Carlos Gomez

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 2 hours ago

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy on Friday, sending speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade.

The move relieves a crowded outfield for the Twins, who also have Delmon Young, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer. And it's a second chance for Hardy, who once was considered a rising star for the Brewers but is coming off a miserable season.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said it was hard to part ways with Hardy.

"J.J. has been a steady performer for the Brewers," Melvin said in a statement. "His professionalism and popularity with our fans and his teammates made this difficult, but he has been given the opportunity to go to a great organization to play and perform at the high level he is capable of playing."

The 27-year-old Hardy batted .229 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 115 games for the Brewers in 2009. A 2007 all-star, he is just the third shortstop in Brewers' history to hit more than 20 home runs in a season twice, a list that also includes Robin Yount and Jose Hernandez.

He has a career batting average of .262 with 75 home runs and 265 RBI in 571 games.

Highly regarded prospect Alcides Escobar is expected to be the Brewers' starting shortstop next season.

Gomez's arrival in Milwaukee means the Brewers are unlikely to bring back veteran centre fielder Mike Cameron, who will become a free agent after two productive seasons with the Brewers.

Gomez, who turns 24 in December, batted .229 with three home runs and 28 RBI in 137 games with the Twins last season.

Melvin said Gomez's speed would add a new dimension to the Brewers' offence, and his defensive skills would provide a boost to a pitching staff that struggled last season.

"Carlos brings to our club great speed, athleticism and energy at a position that we needed to fill," Melvin said. "His defence will serve as a key component to us improving our pitching."

[Devilzsidewalk]

basically seems like 2 teams are balancing their rosters positionally and making room for guys they like better. Also helps for MN to get more pop in their lineup.

[daddyfivestar]

Span CF
Hardy SS
Mauer C
Morneau 1b
Cuddyer RF
Kubel DH
Young LF
3B- need AGAIN! Pedro Feliz released in Philly today
Casilla 2b

SOLID

[Devilzsidewalk]

Juan Uribe for 3rd base is my #1 choice

[Klomp]

While I loved the energy Gomez brought on a nightly basis, I am fine with this trade. If Hardy returns to his old self, we have another possible slugger from the right side.

[daddyfivestar]

Looks like Garrett Atkins is available for a bag a chips. Said Mgmt told him he's played his last game for the Rocks.
Any takers? If he finds his stroke he'd be dynamite.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Looks like Garrett Atkins is available for a bag a chips. Said Mgmt told him he's played his last game for the Rocks.
Any takers? If he finds his stroke he'd be dynamite.

if thats true, I'd definitely take him for a good price; I checked his home/away splits the past few years and he actually has more power away from Coors than at home, which is surprising and shows his power is legitimate

[daddyfivestar]

Bleacherreport Nov 20th:
Garrett Atkins is a man without a job, yet he is still gainfully employed. It may sound like the ultimate contradiction, but it’s merely a sign of the times in Major League Baseball.
Many teams are currently at a tipping point with overpriced, underperforming veterans.
It is becoming more common for big league clubs to non-tender players who have become too pricey, rather than risk overpaying them in arbitration.
Garrett Atkins and the Colorado Rockies are the latest example of this situation.
Atkins, 29, is still with the Rockies, but only as a formality.
On Friday, the Rockies announced that Atkins would remain on the club’s 40-man roster.
This move serves only to delay the inevitable, as Atkins has undoubtedly played his last game for Colorado.