Orioles, Hardy agree to extension

Oct 9, 2014 - 10:31 PM Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - On the eve of their first American League Championship Series appearance in 17 years, the Baltimore Orioles have locked up one of their key contributors for next season and beyond.

The 2014 AL East champions announced Thursday that they have signed shortstop J.J. Hardy to a three-year contract extension that contains a vesting option for the 2018 season.

According to MASN.com, Hardy's new pact is worth $40 million. The 2012 and 2013 AL Gold Glove winner was scheduled to be a free agent at the conclusion of this season.

Acquired by the Orioles in a trade with Minnesota prior to the 2011 season, Hardy averaged 26 home runs and 77 RBI over his first three years with Baltimore. Though those power numbers slipped in 2014, as he hit just nine homers with 52 RBI along with a .268 average, the 32-year-old is still regarded as one of the game's best defensive shortstops and would have been one of the top players at the position on the impending free agent market.

An AL All-Star selection as well in 2013, Hardy is a .261 career hitter with 167 homers and 579 RBI over 10 major league seasons with Milwaukee, Minnesota and Baltimore.

Hardy was in the final season of a three-year, $22.5 extension he signed with the Orioles in July of 2011.