Orioles decline options on Hardy and Miley

The Orioles have officially parted ways with shortstop J.J. Hardy and left-hander Wade Miley, declining to exercise their respective options for the 2018 season and allowing them to become free agents.

It feels like the end of an era with Hardy, who spent the last seven years in Baltimore and won Gold Gloves from 2012-2014. He goes down as one of former executive Andy MacPhail's top acquisitions with the Orioles, and one of the most important in franchise history.

MacPhail sent minor league pitchers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson to the Twins on Dec. 9, 2010 for Hardy and infielder Brendan Harris. The Winter Meetings bar had been raised.

"We're looking for a little more offense to our regular shortstop position," MacPhail said after the trade was announced in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., "and we're confident he can provide that."

Hardy, 35, received a $2 million buyout after the Orioles failed to pick up his $14 million option. He appeared in only 73 games this season due to a fractured wrist and batted .217/.255/.323 with 13 doubles, a triple, four home runs and 24 RBIs.

The option didn't vest because Hardy failed to reach the required number of plate appearances over the past two seasons.

In his final game at Camden Yards as an Oriole, Hardy received a standing ovation before his first at-bat, went 2-for-4 with a home run and came out of the dugout for a curtain call. He doubled twice in a Sept. 30 game against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Hardy won his only Silver Slugger Award in 2013 and also made his second All-Star team. He became the leader of the infield and a tremendous influence on third baseman Manny Machado and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. Ryan Flaherty described him as "the rock of the whole team."

He was blue-collar Baltimore, making it that much easier for the city to embrace him.

The Orioles acquired Tim Beckham this year at the non-waiver trade deadline to provide a longer-term solution at shortstop and he responded by batting .394/.417/.646 with 10 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 19 RBIs in August.

Hardy has only played shortstop in his professional career, eliminating the possibility of using him in a utility role. He'd like to continue playing next season, but could choose retirement if the right situation isn't available to him.

Sitting on the bench doesn't appeal to Hardy. He's open to sharing the position, getting most of the starts each week but also the necessary rest. Or he could hang up his glove and reflect on a 13-year career that saw him develop into one of the most respected shortstops in baseball, and certainly a favorite of Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who preaches the importance of trust.

Miley's likely departure from the organization doesn't bounce the needle in the red on the sentimental meter. He pitched for the Orioles for 1/2 seasons and went 10-20 with a 5.75 ERA and 1.689 WHIP in 43 starts. His 93 walks this summer led the majors.

The Orioles declined Miley's $12 million option and paid him the $500,000 buyout. He, too, becomes a free agent.

A team official contacted Miley about the possibility of accepting a one-year deal, according to a source, but the left-hander seemed more interested in pitching in the National League, where he registered a 3.79 ERA with the Diamondbacks from 2011-2014.

The Orioles want a left-hander for their rotation - they have three openings beyond Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman - and Jason Vargas figures to be a target in free agency.

Still no word on catcher Welington Castillo's $7 million player option, which he's expected to decline.