SS J.J. Hardy

Hardy can still play at the major league level, at least defensively and at least several times a week. That’s the job he’ll be looking for this winter, and that position doesn’t exist with the Orioles now that Tim Beckham has claimed the starting shortstop slot. The Orioles won’t pick up Hardy’s $14 million option, instead paying him a $2 million buyout. They aren’t opposed to re-signing him to a lesser deal. The problem is he’s never played any position but shortstop, so he’s not really a utility infielder. And he’s never been a bench guy, either. My guess is the 35-year-old finds a job where he can start/platoon at shortstop (and not be a utility guy) or he retires.

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