I honestly don't get the Hicks situation. I thought it was pretty obvious that if the bats aren't quite there, then you bring the best defensive outfielders north. I seem to recall Hicks hits lefties pretty well and Schafer is/was good against righties. Granted,it doesn't get Hicks the at bats, but, at some point, you need people in the field that can catch the ball. Of course, since I'm going from memory/impression, I could be way off. A platoon may not be ideal, but, look at KC and the platoon outfield they used that almost won the Series