Orioles Sign J.J. Hardy to 3-Year Extension, Sabotaging Yankees' Offseason Plans

The Orioles have signed Shortstop J.J. Hardy to a 3-year extension worth $40 million, ESPN.com reports. 

Hardy, 32, was set to hit the free agent market this offseason. To the Yankees, who are now without Derek Jeter, he was seen as a possible 2015 starter, and was widely considered their best available option.

"When we looked at the market, we thought the best chance to sign J.J. was before he went to free agency because he's distinguished himself as one of the top shortstops in the league," O's Executive Vice President Dan Duquette said. "And J.J. let us know that he wanted to continue his career here in Baltimore."

That certainly isn't good news for the Yankees, whose only offensively-strong choice right now seems to be Hanley Ramirez.

"(Free agency) crossed my mind, but at the same time, this is where I wanted to be," Hardy said. "There's a lot of uncertainty in free agency. You don't know what's going to happen. I knew that I liked it here and I liked playing with all my teammates. Bottom line, it comes down to winning, and I think we've got a good thing here."

With this new contract, Hardy will become baseball's highest paid shortstop, now making $13.3 million annually. Prior to his recent retirement, the aforementioned Jeter held that spot, making 15.

After "Crazy" Season, Drew Unsure If He'll Succeed Jeter

Free Agent Shortstop Stephen Drew is unsure if he'll be the one to succeed Derek Jeter next season.

Drew, who hit just .162 with 7 home runs and 26 RBIs in 85 games this year with the Red Sox and Yankees, is coming off a blatantly bad 2014, a fact that definitely makes his recent observation understandable.

“I don’t know who it’s going to be, but whoever it is, you have to realize how special it is to play there and that you’re not Derek,’’ Drew told The New York Post yesterday. “That’s the biggest thing. If you try to be like him — whoever it might be — you’re not him.’’

Indeed that's true. Nonetheless, considering Jeter only batted .256 this season it probably wouldn't be much of a downgrade if Drew were to take over for the longtime Yankee Captain, even if his performance this year was obviously less-than-desirable.

“This year was totally crazy,” Drew said. “I’m looking forward to a normal offseason. But I really like New York. They have something special here. We’ll see how things play out.’’

Going into the upcoming winter, Drew is just one of many players whose future with the Yankees is uncertain, with fellow veterans Chase Headley, Ichiro Suzuki, and Chris Young also falling into that category. Still, since Drew seems to have some offensive potential left it wouldn't be that bizarre if he were to be given a second chance next spring, as doing so likely wouldn't cost the team much money.