Orioles Going After Hardy?

Yesterday, the news was that the Orioles were going after Jason Bartlett, the Tampa shortstop. The rumor du jour is that when that deal fell through, they focused their sights on JJ Hardy from Minnesota.

Supposedly, they're angling to acquire Hardy in package for several minor league pitchers, one of whom (according to Dan Connolly from the Baltimore Sun) is 6'6", 24-year old Brett Jacobson, who pitched well at High-A Frederick last year. He was 8-1 with a 2.79 ERA and almost a strikeout per inning; not sure how much that means, since at 23 he was pretty old for that level. He was originally drafted in the 4th round out of Vanderbilt, by the Tigers in 2008. As far as I can tell, he's never been dominant anywhere that he's pitched.

Hardy is an above-average shortstop defensively, probably not as good as Izturis, but definitely serviceable. He has plus power for a middle-infielder (he's hit 24 or more homers twice in his 5+ seasons), but is inconsistent, and has had some injury issues - he hit the DL twice last year, though each stint was for the same problem - a bone bruise in his left wrist. His career OPS is .746, but dropped to .714 last year with the wrist issues.

The Orioles are probably thinking that with the wrist healed, the power comes back... you just have to hope they're right on that. Either way, I like him as a player, and wouldn't mind this deal, depending on who else they have to give up.