Hunter needling Hicks

[gunnarthor]

Nice little bit from Reusse -

 

"Torii Hunter showed up Tuesday for the informal, low-key workouts that a few major leaguers and a larger number of minor leaguers have been holding on mornings on the minor league fields.

I was told by a civilian who is at those fields every day that within 15 minutes, Torii was off to the side, showing Kennys Vargas what he might doing wrong with his right-handed swing, and then he was with this minor leaguer and that minor leaguer.

On Wednesday, Aaron Hicks joined the early arrivers in Fort Myers. Hunter and Hicks took batting practice, shagged fly balls and walked off the field together, stopping in the dugout to grab their bats.

Hicks looked larger in the shoulders last season and he looks larger still now. I pointed toward Hicks and made a gesture to Hunter taking note of Hicks’ muscular upper body.

“Steroids!’’ Hunter hollered. “I’m turning him in.’’

Hicks shook his head in a “I don’t believe this guy’’ manner and kept on collecting his lumber.

And I had this immediate thought: As a very young player from the low minors, Hunter saw Kirby Puckett in action in a spring training clubhouse. And right then, he received a tutorial on clubhouse agitating from the best."

 

Looks like Hunter is taking this mentoring thing seriously.  At least it looks like it'll be a fun team.  Wish I was going to ST this year.

[nicksaviking]

I wanted Rios, but Hunter can provide some real intagilble beneifits for this club.  You walk a fine line when trying to keep things light while still drumming into teammates heads the importance of being accountable for the sake of winning.  For the most part Hunter has seemed to take on the task and done it well most of this century.  At least from the players perspective.

[tobi0040]

At a bare minimum, Hunter may get Hicks to relax.  I think we tend to overblow these things, but that could not hurt

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, I'm not sure about Hunter's skills as a player, but I think he's quite valuable in that role. If he can teach Hicks and Arcia some of the finer points of defense, I think the OF defense may improve quite a bit. I'd like to believe that Hunter even in his age will be better out there than Hammer. We will see there.

[nytwinsfan]

Nice little bit from Reusse -

 

"Torii Hunter showed up Tuesday for the informal, low-key workouts that a few major leaguers and a larger number of minor leaguers have been holding on mornings on the minor league fields.

I was told by a civilian who is at those fields every day that within 15 minutes, Torii was off to the side, showing Kennys Vargas what he might doing wrong with his right-handed swing, and then he was with this minor leaguer and that minor leaguer.

On Wednesday, Aaron Hicks joined the early arrivers in Fort Myers. Hunter and Hicks took batting practice, shagged fly balls and walked off the field together, stopping in the dugout to grab their bats.

Hicks looked larger in the shoulders last season and he looks larger still now. I pointed toward Hicks and made a gesture to Hunter taking note of Hicks’ muscular upper body.

“Steroids!’’ Hunter hollered. “I’m turning him in.’’

Hicks shook his head in a “I don’t believe this guy’’ manner and kept on collecting his lumber.

And I had this immediate thought: As a very young player from the low minors, Hunter saw Kirby Puckett in action in a spring training clubhouse. And right then, he received a tutorial on clubhouse agitating from the best."

 

Looks like Hunter is taking this mentoring thing seriously.  At least it looks like it'll be a fun team.  Wish I was going to ST this year.

 

Normally Hunter's shtick sort of annoys me, but at this point with Hicks, may as well give it a shot. Also, good to see that Hunter realizes he wasn't paid $10 million just for his bat (or his fielding) and is taking on his role as mentor as a full-time job.

[tobi0040]

On a side note, day 1 and Hunter was seen talking to Hicks. Walking with Hicks.  Grabbing bats together and Hunter (for the camera) making a joke.

 

This story is going to become overdone very, very quickly.  

[Brock Beauchamp]

On a side note, day 1 and Hunter was seen talking to Hicks. Walking with Hicks.  Grabbing bats together and Hunter (for the camera) making a joke.

 

This story is going to become overdone very, very quickly.  

http://zap2it.tmsimg.com/tvbanners/h5/AllPhotos/184035/p184035_b_h3_aa.jpg

[gunnarthor]

On a side note, day 1 and Hunter was seen talking to Hicks. Walking with Hicks.  Grabbing bats together and Hunter (for the camera) making a joke.

 

This story is going to become overdone very, very quickly.  

Maybe the story angle, sure.  (As will be the Mauer is going to rebound, Can anyone stop the Nats, ARod in NY stories and many more.  ST is full of crappy stories like this).  But Hunter seems like the type of guy who would make jokes even when the media isn't around to record it.

[tobi0040]

http://zap2it.tmsimg.com/tvbanners/h5/AllPhotos/184035/p184035_b_h3_aa.jpg

 

Sources indicate Hunter and Hicks were among the eight players playing poker for hours in the clubhouse. At one point Hunter said "nice hand" to Hicks. 

[Seth Stohs]

On a side note, day 1 and Hunter was seen talking to Hicks. Walking with Hicks.  Grabbing bats together and Hunter (for the camera) making a joke.

 

This story is going to become overdone very, very quickly.  

 

it will be overplayed, for sure... however, it's incredibly valuable... Think about it. Practice doesn't even officially start for hitters for 2 weeks, and he's been there a week as an extra coach working with these guys. Intangibles do matter. There's no way to measure this, but it's important. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Sources indicate Hunter and Hicks were among the eight players playing poker for hours in the clubhouse. At one point Hunter said "nice hand" to Hicks. 

*cue laugh track*

[jimmer]

On a side note, day 1 and Hunter was seen talking to Hicks. Walking with Hicks.  Grabbing bats together and Hunter (for the camera) making a joke.

 

This story is going to become overdone very, very quickly.  

Yep, this makes for a good story (which is getting old already).  Hunter always seems to be all about Hunter and having the story be about him. We'll see how he is in August if the team is doing poorly. 

 

Perhaps just signing him as a coach when he retired would have been the better move.  He could be our Ozzie.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

LOL

 

Actually Hunter is the real deal. The story could get overdone but at least he won't be faking it. It's good to have him back in that respect. 

[tobi0040]

it will be overplayed, for sure... however, it's incredibly valuable... Think about it. Practice doesn't even officially start for hitters for 2 weeks, and he's been there a week as an extra coach working with these guys. Intangibles do matter. There's no way to measure this, but it's important. 

 

I think the team and role model aspect in baseball tends to get over-hyped.  It is a very batter vs. pitcher sport, moreso than any other of the major sports.

 

Regardless of the results, if I hear multiple coaches rave about Hicks being the first guy there and studying pitchers and getting outfield work, I will be more of a believer in the value Hunter has provided. If I don't hear these things and Hicks still looks lost in the batters box....then I think the mentor thing will be a hard sell.   Until then, it is a great story, get ready for about one every three days! 

[jimmer]

I think the team and role model aspect in baseball tends to get over-hyped.  It is a very batter vs. pitcher sport, moreso than any other of the major sports.

 

Regardless of the results, if I hear multiple coaches rave about Hicks being the first guy there and studying pitchers and getting outfield work, I will be more of a believer in the value Hunter has provided. If I don't hear these things and Hicks still looks lost in the batters box....then I think the mentor thing will be a hard sell.   Until then, it is a great story, get ready for about one every three days! 

we had already heard Hicks is a hard worker though right, putting plenty of time in.  I thought that wasn't really his issue.  maybe I'm mistaken.

[tobi0040]

we had already heard Hicks is a hard worker though right, putting plenty of time in.  I thought that wasn't really his issue.  maybe I'm mistaken.

 

If memory serves me, Gardy has laid into him for showing up to the ballpark and not knowing who the opposing pitcher is.  He has been late a few times and Gardy has shown up.  By and large I think Gardy and company were pretty fed up with his focus, communication to the team, and the way in which he prepares for games.

 

Lavelle has said on a few occasions that the Twins patience with Hicks is close to running out.

[jimmer]

If memory serves me, Gardy has laid into him for showing up to the ballpark and not knowing who the opposing pitcher is.  He has been late a few times and Gardy has shown up.  By and large I think Gardy and company were pretty fed up with his focus, communication to the team, and the way in which he prepares for games.

 

Lavelle has said on a few occasions that the Twins patience with Hicks is close to running out.

thanks for the straightening out.  I thought I read Ryan say they had zero problem with the work he was putting in.

[HitInAPinch]

it will be overplayed, for sure... however, it's incredibly valuable... Think about it. Practice doesn't even officially start for hitters for 2 weeks, and he's been there a week as an extra coach working with these guys. Intangibles do matter. There's no way to measure this, but it's important. 

 

Why not hire the extra coach to do just that?  Why spend the $10m for a "player/coach" who will also be taking away valuable AB's from the younger outfielders. 

[gunnarthor]

Why not hire the extra coach to do just that?  Why spend the $10m for a "player/coach" who will also be taking away valuable AB's from the younger outfielders. 

Who is Hunter blocking?  Schafer?

[mikelink45]

I am surprised at how few people value the "good teammate", Mentor aspect - look at business and see how mentoring has become extremely valuable and how productive it can be to create a relaxed and open atmosphere in any company.  Focus, relaxation, support - I think Hicks needs it and I think Mauer might be in line for some too.

[HitInAPinch]

Who is Hunter blocking?  Schafer?

Sano, if he no longer can play 3B.  Rosario, Walker, maybe Kepler.  Depending on spring training for the most part.

[tobi0040]

I am surprised at how few people value the "good teammate", Mentor aspect - look at business and see how mentoring has become extremely valuable and how productive it can be to create a relaxed and open atmosphere in any company.  Focus, relaxation, support - I think Hicks needs it and I think Mauer might be in line for some too.

 

To the point hit in a pitch has made, why spend $10M on the mentor?  Especially when he has to hit 1/9th of the time and make up 1/3 of the OF near 40 years old on a team that is defensively challenged?  The league is littered with former players that were once good and would love $300K a year to remain close to the game and work with young guys.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Sano, if he no longer can play 3B.  Rosario, Walker, maybe Kepler.  Depending on spring training for the most part.

None of those guys are ready so who plays RF in the first half of the season? It's a stretch to assume any of those guys will be ready in the second half of the season, too...

 

You'd have a point if Hunter was signed to a two year deal. He's gone after this season. He's not blocking anyone worth mentioning.

[jimmer]

To the point hit in a pitch has made, why spend $10M on the mentor?  Especially when he has to hit 1/9th of the time and make up 1/3 of the OF near 40 years old?  The league is littered with former players that were once good and woud love $300K a year to remain close to the game and work with young guys.

I also have to question how one would know he is a good teammate.  How will he be when things get bad?

 

We've already seen him say he's gonna look at what they young outfielders are doing right and doing wrong and then talk to them about the things they are doing wrong.  Maybe they think, he's a our teammate not a coach. People take things in different ways.  And, of course, if any of them are gay...

[jimmer]

None of those guys are ready so who plays RF in the first half of the season? It's a stretch to assume any of those guys will be ready in the second half of the season, too...

 

You'd have a point if Hunter was signed to a two year deal. He's gone after this season. He's not blocking anyone worth mentioning.

Except we don't know if he actually will be gone after this year.  They've said they will go year to year.

[gunnarthor]

To the point hit in a pitch has made, why spend $10M on the mentor?  Especially when he has to hit 1/9th of the time and make up 1/3 of the OF near 40 years old on a team that is defensively challenged?  The league is littered with former players that were once good and would love $300K a year to remain close to the game and work with young guys.

Well, he is good at baseball, too.  

 

Last year he hit .286/.319/.446 - that's a 111 OPS+ which would have been behind Dozier and Santana.  He played in 142 games - only Dozier topped that.  Now it is possible for him to fall off the cliff offensively since he will be 39.  

[USAFChief]

Except we don't know if he actually will be gone after this year. They've said they will go year to year.

Then it might be a topic for spring 2016. Right now, Hunter is blocking nobody.

[jimmer]

Well, he is good at baseball, too.  

 

Last year he hit .286/.319/.446 - that's a 111 OPS+ which would have been behind Dozier and Santana.  He played in 142 games - only Dozier topped that.  Now it is possible for him to fall off the cliff offensively since he will be 39.  

Compared to others at his position, he was average offensively and the worst defender of the bunch.

[jimmer]

Then it might be a topic for spring 2016. Right now, Hunter is blocking nobody.

What I was responding to was the statement that 'He's gone after this season'. We don't know that.  We thought that about Pelfrey too and we see how that worked out. And we didn't have Ryan and Pelfrey talking about going year to year before that first season ever happened like we do with Hunter and Ryan.

[gunnarthor]

I also have to question how one would know he is a good teammate.  How will he be when things get bad?

 

We've already seen him say he's gonna look at what they young outfielders are doing right and doing wrong and then talk to them about the things they are doing wrong.  Maybe they think, he's a our teammate not a coach. People take things in different ways.  And, of course, if any of them are gay...

Well, there's nothing concrete that we fans can see.  We can go by the fact that guys in baseball have said great things about him, how he seemed to be in charge of those Angels teams (esp after Aidenhart's death) and how the Twins FO, who has some knowledge about him, thought he was a good teammate and brought him back.