Orioles extend J.J. Hardy

ByABC News
October 9, 2014, 1:44 PM

— -- Shortstop J.J. Hardy agreed to a three-year extension with the Baltimore Orioles, a source confirmed to ESPN Insider Jim Bowden on Thursday.

The deal is worth $40 million, according to media reports.

Hardy declined to confirm the contract extension during an Orioles' team media session in advance of ALCS Game 1.

"I know it's kind of a big bummer, but I'm not allowed to talk about anything until something becomes official -- if something becomes official,'' Hardy said.

Hardy, 32, batted .268 this season with nine home runs and 52 RBIs. He went 3 for 10 in Baltimore's three-game sweep of Detroit in the American League Division Series.

Teammate Adam Jones welcomed the signing, even though the team has yet to formally announce it.

"J.J. has been one of the best shortstops in baseball the last 3-4 years, and he's deserving,'' Jones said. "He could have gone to free agency and gotten more money, but it's not about the money. He's still going to be eatiing good, and he's happy here.

"And happiness, at the end of the day, will make you happy.''

Hardy had previously discussed an extension with the team during spring training, but the two sides couldn't reach an agreement before the regular season began. His current contract expires at the end of this season. He earned $21 million over the past three years. 

Hardy won his second Gold Glove in 2013 and started in the All-Star game for the first time.

The Orioles will play the Royals for the American League title. The championship series begins Friday.

ESPN MLB Insider Jim Bowden, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick and The Associated Press contributed to this report.