Diamondbacks Bring Back J.J. Hardy

SCOTTSDALE - With Spring Training just around the corner and Arizona's coaches already populating their facility at Salt River Fields things are starting to come together for the 2015 Diamondbacks. It isn't really clear why, perhaps it's lingering concerns over Chris Owings' shoulder, but Arizona announced the re-signing of J.J. Hardy today.

Hardy was targeted as someone expendable, especially with a $7.5 million a year salary, but it seems that ownership had a change of heart. The Dodgers, Yankees, and Brewers were in on some low level bidding as fellow shortstops Elvis Andrus and Hanley Ramirez landed big contracts. Despite the interest, Hardy returned to Arizona for less money on a two-year $9.8 million deal.

The Diamondbacks infield is fairly uncertain heading into the spring. The only player locked in is Paul Goldschmidt at first base with some combination of Aaron Hill, Chris Owings, Yasmany Tomas, Omar Infante, Blake DeWitt, and possibly Jake Lamb filling out the remaining spots. Hardy has the best chance of anyone to man shortstop with Owings being preferred at second, but who knows how things will shake out at this point.