J.J. Hardy demoted, Brewers need a good SP.

Aside from a couple 20+ homer seasons, what has Hardy really done? Last year was the only season that was demonstrably above average and this one pretty easily offsets it. He doesn’t run and while at least he doesn’t strike out a ton he doesn’t walk much either. I guess a SS who averaged about a hit a game in 2007 and 2008 looks great to us but it’s not like playing in the Coliseum is going to do Hardy any favors.

Maybe Hardy works as a one-season guy, giving him a chance to impress, but he’d probably go through the same stuff Holliday did in changing leagues and I really don’t think the A’s should give up much to get him with the year he’s had.

and tried to work a deal with Melvin that included Duke, would Duke need to clear waivers to make the deal work?

This is all about service time, just like it was with keeping Ryan Braun down two seasons ago.

Nashville’s AAA season ends September 7th. You can bet that Hardy will be down in the minors for three weeks, preserving that extra year of team control (2011).

Escobar will play shortstop these last six weeks, Hardy will come up in September and play third, a little short, and perhaps even second, and Hardy will be dealt in the offseason with TWO years of team control remaining instead of one. It literally doubles his trade value to interested teams. Hardy will be absolutely furious, but it won’t really matter to the team, because they only have to worry about him being in the org for another month and a half.

I’m not saying it’s not the smart move from the team’s perspective; certainly it is, financially. But it is a little shady. Kind of like sending down Anibal Sanchez when he’s dropped 10 mph in velocity and you know he’s probably due for a major surgery (Marlins).

I realize that Escobar is ready to play, and Hardy has been struggling mightily, and that gives the team the opportunity to this, because there’s a public explanation other than money. But certainly that above scenario is at the forefront of their minds.

If the A’s were willing to keep him in the minor’s also the rest of the year after a trade he would be a great buy low guy and worth way more than Duke. Then he has not one but two possible turn around seasons and still has a lot of re-trade value.

 I’m sure the Brewers are looking for a lot more than Duke for him and would just hang onto him if that’s the best they could do. It’s not like they have a great chance to make the playoffs by just adding one good starter or even more pieces, so they are not going to be desperate. Hardys salary is not any real burden and adds to his value.
 
I would think a three for 1(if the waiver stuff does not work, it happens in the off season) with the Brew getting something like a 4-5 starter, a middle reliever, and a B/B- prospect would be the most likely return from the A’s or anyone else for Hardy with what he has done in the recent past (all-star) and if Hardy is under control for two more years.

I’d be more impressed if Beane waited the prescribed time and then pursued Bill Hall — having the brewers eat nearly [H]all of the contract. Hall is versatile — can even play SS — and, in my opinion, would make an interesting reclamation project; like the ones that Beane spent the late 90s and early oughts catching lightening in the bottles with.