Hicks will be traded

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

But this presents another problem... I don't think Buxton is quite ready for a full time gig in CF out of spring training. Do we sign somebody like Denard Span to a 1 yr deal to keep the spot warm? 

Rosario to CF, no?  Could free up a spot for Arcia if he can re-claim it.

[notoriousgod71]

To recap:

 

Ryan has traded 3 starting CF for one horrible season out of Worley, no major league success of of Meyer, one decent and hopeful season out of May, and a mediocre catcher.

[puckstopper1]

I don't know much about Murphy either but it is yet another right handed bat in the lineup...

[Jesse Cregan]

 

But this presents another problem... I don't think Buxton is quite ready for a full time gig in CF out of spring training. Do we sign somebody like Denard Span to a 1 yr deal to keep the spot warm? 

Shane Robinson keeps the spot warm for Buxton

[Shane Wahl]

Murphy is not very good. He might have topped out offensively last year, actually. This is pretty odd. Buxton and Kepler have to be in the mix early in 2016 then. If Shane Robinson starts . . . .

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I admit I know very little about Murphy other than he homered off Perkins to win a game for the Evil Empire. I never saw that hit and I don't believe I've ever seen him play. It looks like he throws OK, but I don't know about his defense although the number of passed balls and wild pitches allowed looks pretty high.

Sickels graded Murphy at a C+ prospect entering 2013, then a B- entering 2014.  Commented about his improving defense and low upside bat, and his last grading said "Seems likely to have a career as a role player."

 

He did go have a 103 OPS+ season as McCann's backup in 2015, although with his highest BABIP since rookie ball.  Does seem to have a modest bit of power, still probably needs to cut his K's at the MLB level to really sustain a league-average bat.

[nicksaviking]

I would have preferred adding some extra pieces to try to get a better young catcher, but this guy's small sample sizes really makes it hard to judge him.

 

I don't think Hicks' offense was ever going to be strong enough to satisfy us at a corner OF spot, so I think this is move is really going to come down to whether Buxton develops or not.

 

Also, half of Hicks' problems seemed to be due to not adjusting to pressure well.  Um, good luck in NY.

 

Second also, let's not forget how shocked we would have been last year if someone told us that Hicks would ever have any value. 

[dougkoebernick]

 

Let me be the first to say you called it!!! Good work!!!

Thanks - I hope it works out for everyone.

[Nick Nelson]

This was impressive. Nicely done. 

[d-mac]

 

I'm not even sure I'd give him that much praise.

 

You must have high standards for 4th outfielders then. 

[jbissell]

Awesome news in my opinion. Im excited about the increased chances of Buxton starting 2016 in CF! His defense is already insanely good. Put me in the camp that feels his bat will quickly become what fans are hoping for. Especially if he plays full time.

[DJL44]

Murphy out-hit Hicks in 2015 and 2014.

[Hambino the Great]

I am sad to see Hicks go and knowing the Twins luck he is going to become an all-star in NY and Byron Keiron Buxton well be better known by the nickname of Buston.

[IndianaTwin]

dougkoebernick, do you have suggestions on this week's Powerball drawing?

[notoriousgod71]

 

You must have high standards for 4th outfielders then. 

 

Yes, I prefer someone that could get on base occasionally... or at the very least an extra base hit.

[nicksaviking]

 

You must have high standards for 4th outfielders then. 

 

They need a righty who can hit left handed pitching as Rosario, Arcia and Kepler are in the mix.  Whoever is the RH OF bench bat will get a lot of playing time and Robinson isn't cut out for a lot of playing time.  Chris Young or Ryan Raburn would be better options in my book.

 

Looking at the splits, Robinson actually hits RHP better than LHP anyway.  Not that he hits them very well.

[notoriousgod71]

 

They need a righty who can hit left handed pitching as Rosario, Arcia and Kepler are in the mix.  Whoever is the RH OF bench bat will get a lot of playing time and Robinson isn't cut out for a lot of playing time.  Chris Young or Ryan Raburn would be better options in my book.

 

Young would be ideal.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Murphy out-hit Hicks in 2015 and 2014.

Well, everybody out-hit Hicks in 2014.  Murphy only had 85 MLB PA, actually Hicks out-hit him in the minors that year.

 

In 2015, they were virtually dead-even in wRC+ (Hicks 97, Murphy 99), and that's with Hicks getting over twice the MLB PAs and with Murphy having his highest BABIP since rookie ball (.357),  as compared to Hicks' much more normal looking .285.

 

Steamer has Hicks projected to a 99 wRC+ in 2016, and Murphy at 85.

[Mike Sixel]

Wow......gotta go look this guy up, I guess.

 

but Cameron likes it for the Yankees...

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/yankees-acquire-aaron-hicks-a-potential-bargain/

[nicksaviking]

 

Wow......gotta go look this guy up, I guess.

but Cameron likes it for the Yankees...

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/yankees-acquire-aaron-hicks-a-potential-bargain/

 

It does seem like a win for the Yankees.

 

If Hicks is a better player, the Twins probably have to silver line this thing with the idea that it's not Hicks vs Murphy, but Hicks vs whoever is getting the extra at bats that Hicks would have gotten.  In this case Park? Kepler? Arcia? Vargas?

[Mike Sixel]

It does seem like a win for the Yankees.

 

If Hicks is a better player, the Twins probably have to silver line this thing with the idea that it's not Hicks vs Murphy, but Hicks vs whoever is getting the extra at bats that Hicks would have gotten.  In this case Park? Kepler? Arcia? Vargas?

This is actually my thought....they have an OF crunch, they don't have any C close, it opens space for others, and gives them a shot at a C. Not sure he's my favorite target, but.....I gotta give Ryan credit for the process. But anyone can follow a good process, I will still judge this on outcomes....

[stringer bell]

Two thoughts:   The Twins continue to add right handed bats and seem willing to sacrifice defense on at least one of the outfield corners. Murphy for Herrmann is a step up, I think, but he's another right handed hitter. Hicks' at bats will go to ????--I think Buxton, but it is possible that the Twins will have only Mauer and Rosario from the left side with Escobar as a switch hitter. They have a crying need for left handed hitters who can get on base, like Joe Mauer used to. It does open the door wider for Kepler and makes it easier to see Arcia getting at bats to start the season.

 

Second thought is that the Twins believe in Byron Buxton (so do I) and saw Hicks as really viable only as a center fielder (so do I). Hicks restored some value with his decent season this year and maybe the time was right to deal him.