I don't see how you don't think Hardy is the best player in the deal. As stated, Hardy would be the best shortstop in the AL. They may need a leadoff hitter, but the player they have hitting there now was a better leadoff hitter than Ellsbury last year. Where does the need for team speed come from? Weeks, Cameron, Hart, Braun all have good speed. Finally, I don't think the Brewers necessarily need a young pitcher with upside as much as they need a productive pitcher--not that it couldn't be the same player. I don't see the reasoning for trading Hardy right now. They don't have a viable replacement who is MLB ready. Escobar's bat is not ready to be a full time MLB starter. This proposal would result in a huge downgrade at short, and probably a wash in center (although Cameron was better than Ellsbury last season). They'd gain a promising pitcher in Bucholz, but who knows if he'll be good next year or not at the Major League level? Why not just keep Cameron and Hardy, sign a proven pitcher and let Escobar play a full season in AAA?