Twins Sign Ex-Tigers Reliever Blaine Hardy to Minor-League Deal
By Adam Weinrib
The fungibility of aging relievers is at an all-time high, but Blaine Hardy, recently of the Tigers, could still have plenty left in the tank.
Per reports, the 32-year-old Hardy is extending his career with the Minnesota Twins, his former division rival, just one year removed from an excellent 2018 season.
Twins reportedly sign Blaine Hardy to minor-league contract. https://t.co/GSRDVid4OH pic.twitter.com/dEu2G03e57
— theScore (@theScore) November 26, 2019
In more limited duty last year, Hardy posted a 4.47 ERA in 44.1 innings, piling up only 29 K's, the kind of numbers that can leave you searching for work as the mid-November roster crunch hits.
However, Hardy didn't wait for long because he dominated over long stretches in 2018, posting a 3.56 ERA in 86 innings. Only barely removed from proving he can be durable and effective, Hardy easily earned a second chance in Minnesota.
Former Tigers reliever Blaine Hardy has signed a minor-league deal with Twins, according to source. He’ll be in big-league camp as a non-roster invite.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) November 26, 2019
Soon to be 33 years old, Hardy won't be eligible for free agency until 2022, if the Twins turn this into a longer-term pact.