O's come to terms with Hardy

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

July 16, 2011, 8:56am

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The Orioles have locked up their shortstop for the next three years. The Baltimore Sun reported that the club has agreed with J.J. Hardy on a new contract for three years which will pay him between $22 to $22.5 million during the length of this deal which runs through 2014. The club had a decision to make with Hardy: sign a player that played very well since his return from the disabled list and has been very solid and consistent in the field, or trade a player that could potentially bring one or more prospects in a deal. All along it seemed the O's preferred to keep Hardy and now they will. On the season, Hardy is batting .275 with 13 homers, 33 RBIs and an .823 OPS. He is batting .302 with runners in scoring position and .274 in 31 games since moving into the leadoff spot in the order. With his 13 homers, Hardy, who turns 29 on Aug. 19, has hit three more than O's shortstops combined over the last three years. Hardy's bat has cooled a bit in recent games. He is 4-for-28 with just one RBI over his last seven games. What is your take on the O's agreement with J.J. Hardy?