Orioles and Hardy agree to contract extension

The Baltimore Orioles and shortstop J.J. Hardy agreed to a three-year contract extension, which includes an option for the 2018 season. The contract is worth $40 million. Hardy, 32, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the 2001 MLB draft, he was picked 56th overall. He would play five season for the Brewers, from 2005-2009.

In the offseason heading into the 2010 season, the Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez. He would only spend one season playing for the Twins, before being traded to the Orioles for minor league pitchers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson. It's safe to say that Hardy ended up finding a home in Baltimore after being traded by the Twins.

2011 was his fist full season with the Orioles, and he ended up hitting .269, with 30 home runs and 80 rbi's. He's won two gold gloves with the Orioles, in 2012 and last season 2013. He's also been an All-Star two times in his career 2007, and 2013.

This season, Hardy's power has dropped. It's the first time in three seasons, he didn't hit 20 or home runs. Instead, he hit .268, with 9 home runs, and 52 rbi's. His defense has still been there though, he led all American League shortstops in defensive value (20.4) and defensive runs saved (10).

He's a great player for the Orioles to make sure they have kept, he's proven to be one of their leaders on defense and at times with his offense.

Overall Hardy has played ten seasons in the MLB. His career stats are: 1,259 games played, .261 batting average, 1,234 hits, 606 runs scored, 167 home runs, and 579 rbi's.

If he had it free agency this
December, Hardy could have been one of the most target free agents.