LestersLegends.com

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J.J. Hardy is hitting .310 in August with eight runs, five home runs, and 13 RBI in just ten games. He had been hitting .394 before a recent nine at bat hitless streak.
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Hardy’s average on the year is nothing special at .270. His run total (51) and RBI total (58) aren’t going to overwhelm anybody. He has yet to steal a base on the year, which is not ideal for a middle infielder. What he’s lacking in the speed department he’s more than making up for in the power department.
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After just two home runs through the end of May, Hardy has exploded for 21 home runs since the start of June. He hit nine in June, seven in July, and has five midway through August. The power alone makes him one of the top fantasy shortstops in the league.
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His problem remains inconsistency. Hardy hit .239 in April and May, .362 in June, .195 in July, and now .310 to date for August. He had a similar trend on inconsistency last year, hitting .209 during even months and .319 in odd months. In 2009 he was just plain bad for the bulk of the year and in 2008 he started and finished weak with a torrid stretch from June through August. He doesn’t even have consistent career trends.
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Hardy is a player to ride while he’s hot. If his production starts to wane then you might go in another direction, but with the exception of Troy Tulowitzki and Asdrubal Cabrera, you’re not getting better power numbers out of the shortstop position.
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Also check out:

• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 RBI Guys Vol. 8
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Strikeout Kings Vol. 8
• Is Alejandro De Aza Worth Owning?
• Hiroki Kuroda: Proof That Wins Aren’t Everything
• Can Josh Willingham Finish Strong?

The Twins placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the DL retroactive to May 5th because of a bruised wrist. Hardy was hitting .250 with 11 runs, 3 HRs, and 11 RBIs. Replacements could be slim thanks to the recent Furcal and Escobar injuries. The replacements I would try for (in order):

1.  Mike Aviles
2. Orlando Cabrera
3.  Cliff Pennington 
4.  Ian Desmond
5.  Juan Uribe
6.  Starlin Castro
7.  Cristian Guzman

In other news Carlos Beltran has been cleared to do some light jogging. Rotoworld is predicting a mid-June return. In shallow leagues he could be floating in waivers. If so, grab him. In deeper leagues you could try to make a play for him, especially if his owner is struggling. It’s a high risk/high reward proposition.

Quick Hits:
- Josh Beckett will have his next start pushed back.
- Ryan Braun is day-to-day after getting hit on the elbow
- Jacoby Ellsbury should start a rehab assignment this week.
- A stiff elbow caused Brad Lidge to be held out of Monday’s Phillies game.
-Huston Street should also begin a rehab assignment this week

The Twins cleared up a logjam in the Outfield by moving Carlos “Go Go” Gomez to Milwaukee for Shortstop J.J. Hardy.

I think it’s a great deal for the Twins. They have too many Outfielders with Denard Span, Delmon Young, Michael Cuddyer, and DH Jason Kubel. As for the Twins they got some pop at Shortstop, which they haven’t had in years.

Hardy had a down year, but is a goo candidate to bounce back. If Alexi Casilla can bounce back as well, and they solve their 3rd base issue, the Twins could have one of the better infields in the league with the M & M boys.

Gomez gets a much needed change of scenery. He strikes out too frequently and has mental lapses. Those are two no-nos in Ron Gardenhire’s book. In Milwaukee he won’t have to carry the pressure of being the key component in the Johan Santana trade with him.

Frankly, I thought they rushed him into the lineup in his first year with the Twins because they had to have someone from the Johan deal on the Opening Day roster.

Span outplayed him that spring, and should have got the nod. The Twins had to save face though. I think that stunted his growth and messed with his confidence.

He did better last year when Orlando Cabrera took him under his wing. He’ll need someone to do the same in his new home. He has the tools to be a quality leadoff hitter. It’s just a matter of whether or not he can make the proper adjustments and continue to grow.

Click here for the Rotoprofessor’s take on the trade.