Free Agent-To-Be Hardy Says If Yankees Call About Replacing Jeter, He'd Listen
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- With his team coming off its first division title in 17 years, you'd think J.J. Hardy would have more important things to worry about.
But the veteran shortstop, who will be a free agent after this season, was recently posed with a scenario he just couldn't ignore.
In case you haven't heard, the Yankees will kind of be needing a shortstop next season ...
"Of course I've heard it," Hardy told the NY Post on Monday prior to his Baltimore Orioles taking on the Yankees in the opener of Derek Jeter's final series in the Bronx. "It's not something I can look into the future and see what's going to happen. I've just got to focus on helping our team right now and obviously the playoffs this year. But if it comes to it, I'll have to think about it more."
Hardy was referring to the possibility of him signing with the Yankees next season, something he said "of course" he'd consider, especially if his first wish -- staying with the Orioles -- isn't granted. If he hits the open market, Hardy said he would be "wide open" to any and all ideas, including possibly defecting to the Bronx.
The fact that Hardy -- or any shortstop -- would be interested in the Yankees isn't a huge surprise. Their money is enticing and they always have the goal of competing for a championship. However, replacing a legend is a tough task, especially one who will get into Cooperstown on the first ballot.
"I don't think anybody could fill his shoes, so if I am here or whatever happens, I definitely will not try to fill his shoes. That's something I don't think anyone can do," Hardy said.
Hardy is one of several shortstops the Yankees could target to replace Jeter. It looks more and more every day like the Stephen Drew experiment won't be continued next season. Drew was acquired from the Red Sox prior to the trade deadline and is hitting .153 with two homers and 11 RBI in 41 games since.
Other shortstops the Yankees will likely consider pursuing include impending free agents Jed Lowrie, Asdrubal Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez, as well as potential trade targets Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins.
Hardy's walk year has not worked out well for him individually as the 33-year-old has just nine homers after hitting at least 22 in each of his previous three seasons.
But from a team standpoint, Hardy has been among the leaders of the Orioles, whose 93 victories entering Tuesday were the second most in baseball.
"This is my fourth year here and I feel like this organization, we're going in the right direction," Hardy said. "It's a good group of guys here. It's something if they came to me, I would listen, also."
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