MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Brewers and shortstop J.J. Hardy agreed to a $4.65 million, one-year contract Monday, avoiding salary arbitration.
The 26-year-old Hardy was a cornerstone of the Brewers' first playoff team since 1982, batting .283 with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs as Milwaukee won the NL wild card last season. He was an All-Star in 2007, batting .277 with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs.The move represents another step forward for the Brewers, who lost out in their bid to re-sign ace starter CC Sabathia but agreed to a 1-year deal with free agent closer Trevor Hoffman last week.
