During Orioles FanFest, shortstop J.J. Hardy spoke with the media for a couple of minutes.
Hardy answered questions about the additions to the roster for Spring Training, his life this offseason versus what happened to him last year, outlook for the season and several other items.
Here are some quotes and notes I was able to pick up from him.
About the moves and acquisitions made – so far:
I think its good; I mean, I think we’ve gotten better. You know, a couple of pitchers that we signed over there from Japan aren’t here. So, we have not met them yet. But, it’s you know – just still a work in progress, but I feel like we’ve gotten better.
About adding potential players:
I think we’re always looking to get better. Anything that’s out there that could help, I think everyone’s open to it.
About his season in 2011:
I don’t know; I’ve never, ever set my personal goals to go out there and hit 30 (homers), then missing a month and being able to do it caught me by surprise. I mean, I don’t know – I’m always going to try and set all the personal goals I always do and if I stay healthy, who knows.
Talks about his contract extension with the Orioles versus leaving money on the table as a free agent:
No, I mean everyone says hindsight is 20-20, so who knows what would have happened? I know when we started talking about contract stuff; I didn’t get a hit for about a week-and-a-half. I started to think I wouldn’t get another one the whole season; so you know, signing that contract says a lot. I mean, it took a lot of pressure off of me and that’s why I was able to go out there and do it.
The prospect of winning and the young starting rotation:
It is definitely important to me. You know, I see a lot of potential – I really do.
I feel like we have a lot of young pitchers – I think it’s time for them to step up and do what they are capable of. I know everyone has been saying that for a couple of years now — but, they have a few more years under their belt. It’s time for them to do it.
About not hearing his name in trade rumors:
It’s nice. It was one of the first off-seasons in probably three or four off-seasons that I wasn’t in the trade rumors and stuff. It’s just nice to know where I am going to be for Spring Training and have a nice, good off-season.
The infield:
I mean, I feel good about it. Hopefully, Brian Roberts is back, he’s healthy and good to go – if not, Robert Andino did a great job. If he is the everyday second baseman, I think that’s still great. I think our infield is definitely strong.
The possibility of batting lead-off next season:
I don’t know if that’s what they are thinking, or not. I told them, I will do anything Buck wants me to do. I have told them before – I have told other people, that I don’t like it.
Question about Mark Reynolds’ play at third base last season:
For sure, I mean – I saw him when he was with the Diamondbacks. He never had a defensive season that he had last year over there, I mean it kind of was one of those years.
I mean, everyone has them – whether it is offensively or defensively. I know he’s should about 20 pounds this offseason to kind of lighten up on his feet and that’s what he wants to do.
He’ll be fine over there.
