Article: Twins Trade Aaron Hicks To Yankees For Catcher

[Squirrel]

 

Man I hope Hicks turns into a superstar.  What a horrible trade this is.

Um, really? I'm not a fan of this either, but why would you say that? So you can 'neener, neener' Ryan in a later thread?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

In terms of defense, Fangraphs rates Murphy down at the bottom with Suzuki, Pinto, and Pierzynski. So hopefully Murphy brings some intangibles.

[Vanimal46]

For the Twins, gotta hope that Hick's recent turnaround was a mirage and not a trend. At least Murphy is young with some room to develop. I was dreaming of a Rosario-Buxton-Hicks OF, but now I'll have to start dreaming of a Rosario-Buxton-Kepler OF instead!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

unless I am missing something on this 3 year backup catcher.

To be fair, Murphy's not really a "3 year backup catcher" -- looks like he was a September call-up in 2013,  was the backup for 2 months in 2014 when Cervelli was hurt, and got another September call-up late in 2014.

 

He was the Yankees backup catcher for the entire 2015 season, however.  Got 43 starts, compared to Herrmann/Fryer's combined 39.

[Jham]

Personally, I've always said Hick's D is way overrated in CF.  Good corner guy, but struggles going back on balls and taking efficient routes, not as big a deal in left or right where the balls almost always tail toward the line.  He may take away some singles, and cut off a few balls to hold guys to singles, but his misplays are always doubles, triples or inside the park jobs.  No tears here.

[beckmt]

I think a Rosario, Buxton, Kepler OF is a possibilty in about 2 years.  Rosario or Santana(have we forgotten about him) starts in center at the start of the year with Sano and other outfielder(Buxton(maybe)) or Span for a year or two.

[Mike Sixel]

Well, here is what Cameron thinks:

 

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

 

Didn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy.......

[jimmer]

 

Um, really? I'm not a fan of this either, but why would you say that? So you can 'neener, neener' Ryan in a later thread?

How about because I'm a fan of Hicks?  How about because I value outfield defense on a team lacking OF defense.  How about Hicks starting to work on his OBP? I'll take a .720 OPS from a 24 year old with quality defense on a team that lacks defense.

 

Oh, and how about a person who always stresses not taking personal shots not take personal shots?  Although clearly it's allowed when defending Ryan as seen on the Ryan Swan Song thread.

Edited November 11, 2015 by jimmer

[Pardon My Dinger]

Everyone should probably try not to forget that Hicks was unanimously worthless until August 2015. Probably got a good deal in that light.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Um, really? I'm not a fan of this either, but why would you say that? So you can 'neener, neener' Ryan in a later thread?

I read it more as a fan/supported of Hicks, rather than a dig at TR.  Why shouldn't we wish Hicks well?

[gunnarthor]

I liked HIcks but I think people are going a bit overboard here.  Defensive stats thought he was about average, although I think he looked better under the eye test.  He had a monster July last year but didn't hit much after that (OPS for Aug and Sep were .597 and .701).  It's doubtful that bat plays in a corner and the Twins have the best CF prospect in baseball ready to step in this season.

 

Murphy isn't sexy but he's a solid enough catcher with more years of team control.  And it's probable that the Twins scouted him a bit in the EL and IL so have several years of reports on him.  Sure don't think the comparisons to Herrmann are fair.

[dougkoebernick]

 

I think trading Hicks for a catcher is a good idea.  Hicks faded badly in September (224/321/367, 689 OPS) and projects out as a roughly 700 OPS guy and a strong defensive CF.  I don't know a lot about Murphy but he was least that good with the bat (better, actually) in limited appearances and is supposed to be strong defensively. This means Rosario stays and starts.  The interesting question is whether Buxton breaks camp as the CF or whether we go out and get a free agent. I'm willing to bet that Denard Span's phone is now ringing. He could play CF and lead off - two things we need - and let Buxton and Kepler develop at AAA.    

That's an interesting thought on Span. 

[jimmer]

 

Well, here is what Cameron thinks:

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

Didn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy.......

I'm glad you posted this.

[Squirrel]

 

How about because I'm a fan of Hicks?  How about because I value outfield defense on a team lacking OF defense.  How about Hicks starting to work on his OBP? I'll take a .720 OPS from a 24 year old with quality defense on a team that lacks defense.

 

Oh, and how about a person who always stresses not taking personal shots not take personal shots?  Although clearly it's allowed when defending Ryan as seen on the Ryan Swan Song thread.

Then why don't you say all that instead of saying you hope for the Twins to be on the bad side of this by making a bit of a pot shot? And for the record, I'm not a fan of Ryan's and haven't been for a very long time. And, as I said, I'm not a fan of this trade, either. But I think it's a bit of a poor sports kind of comment to make even so.

[Darius]

I was relatively high on Hicks going into this year.  Hopefully I'm wrong, but I fully expect to take a step offensively (was saying this before the trade) and this move look absolutely awful.

 

Digging into this guy a little more, I hate this move.  

 

[formerly33]

 

How about because I'm a fan of Hicks?  How about because I value outfield defense on a team lacking OF defense.  How about Hicks starting to work on his OBP? I'll take a .720 OPS from a 24 year old with quality defense on a team that lacks defense.

 

Oh, and how about a person who always stresses not taking personal shots not take personal shots?  Although clearly it's allowed when defending Ryan as seen on the Ryan Swan Song thread.

Heh...I don't think it was a personal shot. You weren't being too clear in the original post. If you were simply wishing Hicks the best of luck, you could have said so right from the start.

 

But if you want to discuss moderation, head over to the "Questions About MinnCentric" forum.

 

Back OT, I don't think Murphy's an improvement over Herrmann. I certainly hope he is.

[Mike Sixel]

I worry about buying high on BABIP, again.....a lot.

[jimmer]

 

I read it more as a fan/supported of Hicks, rather than a dig at TR.  Why shouldn't we wish Hicks well?

I also wished Hermann well, and in the thread about trading Plouffe, I said I hope he does well whether he stays with us or not. Nothing wrong with hoping guys succeed even if they leave the team. Or maybe there is for some.

[Hrbowski]

I think it is a pretty good trade for both teams. Yanks get a much cheaper version of Chris Young, and the Twins get a young catcher they will be able to use as a solid starter.

 

How about Denard Span?

[dougkoebernick]

 

For the Twins, gotta hope that Hick's recent turnaround was a mirage and not a trend. At least Murphy is young with some room to develop. I was dreaming of a Rosario-Buxton-Hicks OF, but now I'll have to start dreaming of a Rosario-Buxton-Kepler OF instead!

I remember watching his stats go down, down, down after he got everyone excited in July/August. In September/October he was less than special. I hope for his sake that he is more of the July/August Hicks in the future but I just wasn't sold on that happening and preferred Rosario over Hicks.

[jimmer]

 

Then why don't you say all that instead of saying you hope for the Twins to be on the bad side of this by making a bit of a pot shot? And for the record, I'm not a fan of Ryan's and haven't been for a very long time. And, as I said, I'm not a fan of this trade, either. But I think it's a bit of a poor sports kind of comment to make even so.

I said I hope Hicks becomes a superstar AND that it is a bad trade.  I didn't say I hope the Twins end up on the bad side of this trade.  You don't think I hope the catcher ends up good?  That would help us, no?

 

I wished the guy well, and I think it's a bad trade.  People who want to read into what was said only have themselves to blame for misunderstanding and/or maybe they are just eager to get into it with other posters.  I am not responsible for either.

[jimmer]

 

I worry about buying high on BABIP, again.....a lot.

yup.

[tobi0040]

The reality is stud 24 year old catchers don't get made available much.  We certainly weren't getting one on a 1-1 deal with Aaron HIcks.

[Squirrel]

 

I said I hope Hicks becomes a superstar AND that it is a bad trade.  I didn't say I hope the Twins end up on the bad side of this trade.  You don't think I hope the catcher ends up good?  That would help us, no?

 

I wished the guy well, and I think it's a bad trade.  People who want to read into what was said only have themselves to blame for misunderstanding and/or maybe they are just eager to get into it with other posters.  I am not responsible for either.

Well, I apologize then for reacting as I did. It just didn't read that way when I first read the comment in context with everything else happening around us. I take it back then. I'm sorry. And thank you for clarifying.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Now that the dust has settled somewhat, and we're all ready to throw dirt on Murphy apparently, it seems clear that Murphy isn't our catching upgrade. He's an upgrade over Hermann, and maybe there's a smidge of a chance that he fits into our future. I don't think we're done looking for an everyday catcher. I think we're in for a lot of big moves. Which is pretty weird.  

[d-mac]

 

WTF? 

 

Yeah, I'm definitely a TR hater but even I can't call this a horrible trade. 

[dbminn]

 

I have been looking around online for information on Murphy. Anyone know how Murphy's reputation is with handling a pitching staff and framing pitches?  

 

According to BP (by way of FanGraphs), he's supposed to be an above average pitch framer. By last year's StatCorner data, he's neutral.

 

RE: Suzuki and pitch framing. In 2014, he was bad. By 2015 data, he was neutral.

 

http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php

 

 

[jimmer]

 

Heh...I don't think it was a personal shot. You weren't being too clear in the original post. If you were simply wishing Hicks the best of luck, you could have said so right from the start.

That's exactly what I did in the first sentence. I said I hope he becomes a superstar.  The second sentence said I thought the trade was bad.  I am not responsible for people reading into two simple sentences.

[TKGuy]

Hicks has had one good half a season. I think it's worth the shot, which barring moves means Buxton will start in CF

[Squirrel]

 

Now that the dust has settled somewhat, and we're all ready to throw dirt on Murphy apparently, it seems clear that Murphy isn't our catching upgrade. He's an upgrade over Hermann, and maybe there's a smidge of a chance that he fits into our future. I don't think we're done looking for an everyday catcher. I think we're in for a lot of big moves. Which is pretty weird.  

Yeah ... this is why I'm not a fan of this move. To me it's not the upgrade we need. And what I thought was a pretty solid/stable outfield going into the off-season seems anything but after everything so far. But ... it's a long way to next season, and lots more time to let it fall into place.