Does Aaron Hicks Come Full Circle?

[jorgenswest]

23 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

That shouldn't be a concern. The only reason the Twins would pay him $6M is if they want to give the Yankees salary relief. Instead the Twins would pay Hicks the league minimum salary and the Yankees would pay $10M.

I guess that makes it more interesting. I don’t want to sign a Gallo or Morrison and then watch them remain on the roster most of the season.

Is it also concerning? How motivated is Hicks? Why hasn’t anyone else signed him? 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

I guess that makes it more interesting. I don’t want to sign a Gallo or Morrison and then watch them remain on the roster most of the season.

Is it also concerning? How motivated is Hicks? Why hasn’t anyone else signed him? 

I wrote quite a bit about Hicks on another thread. He isn't the guy the Twins traded to the Yankees eight years ago by any means. He would be only a fill in for center field, as his defense and leg speed have slipped considerably. As a role player, getting platoon at-bats, Hicks could have value and he has always hit left handed pitching better than right handers. 

I think he was dreadful the last few years for the Yankees because the Bronx fans turned on him. He had something to prove in Baltimore and was a good role players for the Orioles. 

The risk is minimal. Minimum salary and no obligation for future years. It only makes sense to explore whether he is a fit for the Twins.

[chpettit19]

17 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

And yet, he sat in AAA until there was an injury. That was my point....that "he'll play when ready" just isn't a thing in MN right now. At some point, you either believe in a prospect or not. I'm ready on Martin. I understand others would rather have a mediocre veteran (because they aren't signing an expensive one) and hope the team gets lucky and that veteran is actually good than take a chance on Martin. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind.

Edouard Julien was 8th on the Twins in games played last year. 5th in plate appearances. He's played 38 games total at AAA in his life. I think you're overselling the idea that he just languished in AAA forever.

[Otaknam]

isn’t Taylor a better defensive player than Hicks at this point? If so I’d take Taylor over Hicks but MAT might want a multi year contract, more than Hicks would require. And despite the fantastic revenue producing ballpark paid by the taxpayers, the Twins are claiming poverty until the media contracts are settled. So that will probably be the determining factor, fans be damned. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Edouard Julien was 8th on the Twins in games played last year. 5th in plate appearances. He's played 38 games total at AAA in his life. I think you're overselling the idea that he just languished in AAA forever.

I didn't say forever. Whatever. He had to have polanco get hurt twice to be on the roster. Wallner had to wait for injury, even with Gallo being a DFA candidate. If you feel they'll promote guys and let veterans go, I'm ok with that. We'll disagree.

[chpettit19]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I didn't say forever. Whatever. He had to have polanco get hurt twice to be on the roster. Wallner had to wait for injury, even with Gallo being a DFA candidate. If you feel they'll promote guys and let veterans go, I'm ok with that. We'll disagree.

I don't expect them to let veterans go regularly, no, but the point is Julien was still 5th in plate appearances for this team. It's not like young guys don't get chances. They just don't clear spots before the season starts for guys who've never seen a major league pitch. Injuries happen and opportunities come every year. Planning your opening day 26 around forcing young guy's opportunities is asking to have Rob Refsnyder, Gilberto Celestino, Tim Beckham, and Mark Contreras playing in the OF during a pennant chase.

Austin Martin has had 1 good month in AAA. It's not like he's putting up Kris Bryant minor league numbers and the Twins are playing games with him. Brooks Lee had a 78 wRC+ in AAA last year. Why would a team clear a spot on an opening day roster for these guys when their only option left if they struggle, or when injuries happen, is to move on to a bunch of late 20s prospects who weren't good enough to get claimed in the Rule 5? Overreacting to the Wallner/Gallo situation by forcing unproven guys onto the opening day roster doesn't sound like a great recipe for maximizing results over 162 games to me.

In 2022 Jose Miranda started the year in AAA and ended up 4th on the Twins in plate appearances. Nick Gordon was 8th. Gilberto Celestino ended up 10th on the team in plate appearances in 2022. Shoot Jermaine Palacios was 16th on the team in PAs. Guys get chances. Putting too much emphasis on opening day, or forcing young guys chances, is a really good way to find yourself super short-handed by June.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Otaknam said:

If so I’d take Taylor over Hicks

There are several players I'd rather have than Aaron Hicks but you won't get any of them for the MLB minimum salary.