My views on Hardy are virtually identical to SG's... and if Hardy has a good first half and is healthy, he should be dealt for a good return. Off the top of my head, consider when the San Diego Padres traded reliever Mike Adams to Texas for LHP Robbie Erlin and RHP Joe Wieland. I know Adams was a reliever, but I believe Hardy should get better than that this summer.
Worrying about the short-term would ideally not factor into a long-term decision, but hypothetically lets say the O's are exceeding expectations and are right around .500 at the non-waiver deadline. Hardy has managed to stay in the lineup and is producing. Would you agree that moving Hardy would become impractical at that point?
If you get to the non-waiver deadline and the O's are trapped in another abysmal season, everyone will be clamoring (with reason) for vets like Hardy to be moved. I get annoyed when you almost have to root for losing.