The Twins have acquired 27-year old righty swinging shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Brewers for 23-year old righty swinging outfielder Carlos Gomez. Hardy played in 115 games for the Brewers last season and he was 95 for 414 (.229 avg, .659 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 11 homers and 47 RBIs. Hardy has now played in 571 games in his five year major league career and he is 543 for 2,045 (.262 avg, .751 OPS) with 279 runs scored, 75 homers and 265 RBIs. Hardy is a outstanding defensive shortstop who also has some pop in his bat. He should fit in very well with the Twins in 2010 and beyond.

Carlos Gomez was a extra piece on the bench for the Twins so they won’t miss him. Gomez played in 137 games for the Twins last season and he was 72 for 315 (.229 avg, .624 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 3 homers, 28 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. In two years with the Twins, Gomez played in 290 games in which he was 221 for 892 (.248 avg, .645 OPS) with 130 runs scored, 10 homers, 87 RBIs and 47 stolen bases. Gomez regressed last season for the Twins and they needed a new shortstop so this was a good trade for them.

The Twins have outrighted 28-year old lefty swinging 3B Brian Buscher to AAA. He will likely reject the assignment and become a free agent. Buscher played in 61 games for the Twins last season and he was 32 for 136 (.235 avg, .676 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 2 homers and 12 RBIs. In this three years with the Twins, Buscher played in 164 games in which he was 116 for 436 (.266 avg, .699 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 8 homers and 69 RBIs. Buscher should have little problem in finding a job with a new team in 2010 but the Twins won’t likely miss him much as they will be looking to improve the roster as they move into their brand new stadium.