Article: Twins Kick Baltimore Tires

[Rosterman]

Who do you trade? Maybe a guy on the current 40-man roster than runs out of options in a season or two. Look ahrd at your minors. Trade 1-2 guys who you should add to the 40-man, but can't because of the number of guys you have to add (sometimes sneaking thru that AA guyinto the deal). You can also either look at low-level prospects that appeear to be blocked by someone higher up in the organization,(Gordon) or that is basically a palcesetter before a low-level prospect gets better (Polanco - with Gordon/Javier in the wings). 

 

You unfortunately can't trade guys on the bubble, like Vargas and Santana. They have experience, but not showing signs of improvement. Now Aaron Hicks, may be at his most valuable of his career. Unfortunately, he's not an elite player by any means...yet.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

You unfortunately can't trade guys on the bubble, like Vargas and Santana. They have experience, but not showing signs of improvement. Now Aaron Hicks, may be at his most valuable of his career. Unfortunately, he's not an elite player by any means...yet.

It'd be great to move either Hicks or Rosario but I think their value in trade won't come until the offseason.

 

Rosario is probably worth more right now but Hicks will probably bring more in the offseason (extrapolating current performance through September). Considering the team has Buxton in the wings, it makes sense to move one of those players if someone is interested.

[troyhobbs]

 

It'd be great to move either Hicks or Rosario but I think their value in trade won't come until the offseason.

 

Rosario is probably worth more right now but Hicks will probably bring more in the offseason (extrapolating current performance through September). Considering the team has Buxton in the wings, it makes sense to move one of those players if someone is interested.

Why is that a great move? The Twins don't have a lot of OF depth at AA and AAA with MLB potential. I would think Rosario and Hicks' youth and the promise they've shown this year would be desirable to hold on to unless they want to sign a FA this offseason or commit to Arcia. Buxton looked like he still needs polish so you can't automatically assume he's helping the club next year either.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Why is that a great move? The Twins don't have a lot of OF depth at AA and AAA with MLB potential. I would think Rosario and Hicks' youth and the promise they've shown this year would be desirable to hold on to unless they want to sign a FA this offseason or commit to Arcia. Buxton looked like he still needs polish so you can't automatically assume he's helping the club next year either.

Buxton has to play at some point and he's not going to spend much more time in the minors. Even if he comes up and posts an OPS of .600, he has value because he's an outstanding defender with ridiculous speed.

 

And I really disagree the Twins don't have a lot of OF talent.

 

Buxton

Hicks

Rosario

Kepler

Arcia

 

All are in AA or higher and three of them are natural centerfielders. Trading one of them to shore up a weakness at another position is smart management. Is there a chance all of them fail? Sure... but that's a chance you need to take to improve the team as a unit.

[Jham]

 

It'd be great to move either Hicks or Rosario but I think their value in trade won't come until the offseason.

 

Rosario is probably worth more right now but Hicks will probably bring more in the offseason (extrapolating current performance through September). Considering the team has Buxton in the wings, it makes sense to move one of those players if someone is interested.

 

If we're dealing Rosario, it may behoove us to get him a few games at 2nd or 3rd to increase his value to teams needing a 2B or super-utility Zobrist kind of player.  His bat profiles more of 2B than a corner.  I can't imagine Hicks having much value on the trade market.  He's having a career year right now, which is essentially Dozier with 1/4 the power.  On the other hand, if the rest of baseball still sees him as an elite defender (certainly not) and 5-tool prospect (neither the tools nor "prospect" really fit) then we should deal him before they really look at it.

[Mike Sixel]

In looking at Hicks' monthly splits this year, it's hard to believe it is actually the same human being in July as the other months this year........

[Brock Beauchamp]

If we're dealing Rosario, it may behoove us to get him a few games at 2nd or 3rd to increase his value to teams needing a 2B or super-utility Zobrist kind of player. His bat profiles more of 2B than a corner. I can't imagine Hicks having much value on the trade market. He's having a career year right now, which is essentially Dozier with 1/4 the power. On the other hand, if the rest of baseball still sees him as an elite defender (certainly not) and 5-tool prospect (neither the tools nor "prospect" really fit) then we should deal him before they really look at it.

It's premature to say Hicks is having a career year. It could be a blip on the radar, it could be a 25 year old player turning the corner.

 

That's why I noted "assuming current production continued through September" in my post.

 

People wrote off Hicks far too early. Yeah, he was terrible. He was also 23-24 years old and badly mismanaged. He's not some 29 year old jouneyman. He's a 25 year old that still has big upside. He may not continue being the hitter he is today but I wouldn't bet against it, either.

[SwainZag]

 

If we're dealing Rosario, it may behoove us to get him a few games at 2nd or 3rd to increase his value to teams needing a 2B or super-utility Zobrist kind of player.  His bat profiles more of 2B than a corner.  I can't imagine Hicks having much value on the trade market.  He's having a career year right now, which is essentially Dozier with 1/4 the power.  On the other hand, if the rest of baseball still sees him as an elite defender (certainly not) and 5-tool prospect (neither the tools nor "prospect" really fit) then we should deal him before they really look at it.

 

Hicks.     .271/.335/.387  .722 OPS 14.5 K%   .297 BABIP 0.5 dWAR

Rosario. .284/.308/.418  .725 OPS  23.3 K%  .359 BABIP 0.3 dWAR

 

I really think it would be a mistake to trade Hicks.  Not only is he a better defender but his ability to take a walk and the fact that his K's have come down each year is just a great trend.

[troyhobbs]

 

Buxton has to play at some point and he's not going to spend much more time in the minors. Even if he comes up and posts an OPS of .600, he has value because he's an outstanding defender with ridiculous speed.

 

And I really disagree the Twins don't have a lot of OF talent.

 

Buxton

Hicks

Rosario

Kepler

Arcia

 

All are in AA or higher and three of them are natural centerfielders. Trading one of them to shore up a weakness at another position is smart management. Is there a chance all of them fail? Sure... but that's a chance you need to take to improve the team as a unit.

I was excluding Hicks and Rosario because they're presently on the 25 man and assuming Buxton is the eventual CF of the future so was directing that statement at everyone left...Keplar and Arcia. Is Keplar ready next season? Arcia should be (and probably should be on the roster now) but he's obviously not a great defender.  Having 3 natural CFs in the outfield probably wouldn't upset the pitching staff too much but I'd be fine getting rid of one of them for a more needed piece if they want to commit to Arcia in the OF. 

[SwainZag]

 

In looking at Hicks' monthly splits this year, it's hard to believe it is actually the same human being in July as the other months this year........

 

Want to see something crazier?  Look at Hicks H/R splits. The guy must HATE hitting anywhere except Target Field.

[Brock Beauchamp]

In looking at Hicks' monthly splits this year, it's hard to believe it is actually the same human being in July as the other months this year........

As I said earlier in the year, his new approach warranted optimism. He wasn't getting results but if the contact tool came around, it could radically change him as a player.

 

Do I think Hicks is a .900 OPS player? LOL, no. But right now he's doing all the things well-rounded players do to succeed. Good contact with a reasonable BABIP, great discipline, solid power.

 

Will it continue? I have no idea but he's showing the makings of a sustainable player, though I can't believe he's a .900 OPS guy going forward.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Want to see something crazier?  Look at Hicks H/R splits. The guy must HATE hitting anywhere except Target Field.

 

I noticed that. It's almost like one is playing, an the other is a cardboard cut out.

[Jham]

 

It's premature to say Hicks is having a career year. It could be a blip on the radar, it could be a 25 year old player turning the corner.

That's why I noted "assuming current production continued through September" in my post.

People wrote off Hicks far too early. Yeah, he was terrible. He was also 23-24 years old and badly mismanaged. He's not some 29 year old jouneyman. He's a 25 year old that still has big upside. He may not continue being the hitter he is today but I wouldn't bet against it, either.

Oh I agree on not giving up on him, since we already have him.  I'm saying if I was another team, I wouldn't bet on it in terms of trading for him.  If I'm the Twins I don't bet on it by counting on him.  Personally, I think he's taken a big step forward.  However, his defense is a bit shaky at times and unless he starts hitting for a ton of power, his bat is sub-par.  Will his power improve?  Coin flip?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Oh I agree on not giving up on him, since we already have him. I'm saying if I was another team, I wouldn't bet on it in terms of trading for him. If I'm the Twins I don't bet on it by counting on him. Personally, I think he's taken a big step forward. However, his defense is a bit shaky at times and unless he starts hitting for a ton of power, his bat is sub-par. Will his power improve? Coin flip?

His bat isn't subpar if he continues playing good centerfield defense. I think that's where we're looking at him differently. Hicks doesn't really need power if he can hit over .260, maintain his very good discipline, and play center.

[Mike Sixel]

101 wRC+