MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -The Minnesota Twins acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy on Friday, sending speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade.
The move relieves a crowded outfield for the Twins, who also have Delmon Young, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer. And it's a second chance for Hardy, who once was considered a rising star for the Brewers but is coming off a miserable season.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said it was hard to part ways with Hardy.
``J.J. has been a steady performer for the Brewers,'' Melvin said in a statement. ``His professionalism and popularity with our fans and his teammates made this difficult, but he has been given the opportunity to go to a great organization to play and perform at the high level he is capable of playing.''
The 27-year-old Hardy batted .229 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 115 games for the Brewers in 2009. A 2007 All-Star, he is just the third shortstop in Brewers' history to hit more than 20 home runs in a season twice, a list that also includes Robin Yount and Jose Hernandez.
He has a career batting average of .262 with 75 home runs and 265 RBI in 571 games.
Highly regarded prospect Alcides Escobar is expected to be the Brewers' starting shortstop next season.
Gomez's arrival in Milwaukee means the Brewers are unlikely to bring back veteran center fielder Mike Cameron, who will become a free agent after two productive seasons with the Brewers.
Gomez, who turns 24 in December, batted .229 with three home runs and 28 RBI in 137 games with the Twins last season.
Melvin said Gomez's speed would add a new dimension to the Brewers' offense, and his defensive skills would provide a boost to a pitching staff that struggled last season.
``Carlos brings to our club great speed, athleticism and energy at a position that we needed to fill,'' Melvin said. ``His defense will serve as a key component to us improving our pitching.''
