After trying to trade for Milwaukee shortstop J.J. Hardy last offseason, the Twins finally closed the deal Friday, believing the price had dropped considerably.

According to people familiar with the talks , the Brewers refused to deal the 2007 All-Star last fall without getting top talent in return, including an established young starting pitcher, such as Twins righthander Kevin Slowey.

But that was before Hardy, 27, endured what he called “a nightmare year,” batting .229 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI, leading to a demotion to the minor leagues.

The Brewers reopened talks with the Twins about 10 days ago, and agreed to trade Hardy for Carlos Gomez, the promising yet frustrating center fielder.

“There’s some risk on our end to trade Gomez because he’s got some great raw skills, and he’s learning to play the game,” Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. “But we felt it was worthwhile to get a high-quality shortstop like J.J. Hardy that we’re going to have for a number of years.”

In the end, both teams used a surplus to fill another hole. Even Hardy said it’s a deal that could help both clubs.
Brewers top prospect Alcides Escobar replaced Hardy as the team’s starting shortstop last season, batting .304 in 38 games. Gomez, one of four players who came to the Twins from the Mets in the 2008 Johan Santana trade, gives Milwaukee a replacement in center field for free agent Mike Cameron.

Like Hardy, Gomez batted .229 this year, with three home runs, 28 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 21 attempts. He essentially split playing time in the Twins outfield with Delmon Young.

Now, the Twins can turn leadoff man Denard Span into a full-time center fielder, with Young getting full-time duty in left field and Michael Cuddyer in right.

Smith said Hardy will take over at shortstop, replacing free agent Orlando Cabrera. Smith didn’t rule out pursuing a second or third baseman but noted manager Ron Gardenhire’s preference to have Nick Punto in the lineup. Brendan Harris, Matt Tolbert and Alexi Casilla are other versatile infield options.

“It’s a good team,” Hardy said of the Twins. “They always have good pitching and good defense. They play the game right, and they’ve got a lot of guys who can hit, so I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

The deal has the potential to look very good for the Twins if Hardy can regain his pre-2009 form, but that “if” is as big as Hardy’s 6-2, 190-pound frame.

Despite his size, Hardy is an above-average defensive shortstop, with a strong arm, soft hands and good range. But Hardy always has been a streaky hitter. He hit .283 with 24 homers and 74 RBI in 2008, but after batting .156 last April, he couldn’t shake the slump.

“I don’t want to think about it anymore,” said Hardy of his 2009 season. “It’s over. I was happy when it ended. It was just kind of a nightmare year for me. Even when I was up there [in the big leagues], I wasn’t at a level I wanted to perform at, and then when I got sent down, it just made things worse.”

The Brewers sent Hardy to Class AAA Nashville on Aug. 12. Though they brought him back when rosters expanded Sept. 1, the lost major league service time meant the soonest Hardy can become a free agent is after the 2011 season, instead of next fall.
That extra year helped boost Hardy’s sagging trade value.

“To give up Carlos Gomez, where we’re going to give up four years of control [before he’s eligible for free agency], it’s important to get somebody [with] the ability to keep him for a couple years,” Smith said. “And let’s see what happens, we may keep him a lot longer than that.”

Hardy made $4.65 million last season, and despite his slump, arbitration likely will add another million to his 2010 salary. The deal saved the Brewers some money, though Gomez, who made $437,500, is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin told reporters he tried getting a starting pitcher for Hardy but added: “In the end, there wasn’t anybody that matched the ability of Carlos Gomez. When you can’t get pitching back, you do something to help your pitching.”

That was a nod to Gomez’s superlative defense in center field, something Brewers pitchers will appreciate, even if he doesn’t improve at the plate.