Until Thomas stops hitting and/or Hicks starts hitting, I suggest that the Twins keep Hicks in AAA and keep Thomas in CF.

[TABLE]

[TD=class: TSN2]Batters[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]BA[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SLG[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]G[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]AB[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]R[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]H[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]TB[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]2B[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]3B[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]HR[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]RBI[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]BB[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SO[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SB[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]CS[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]E[/TD]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TD=class: TSN1][TABLE]

[TD=class: TSN1][TABLE]

[TD=class: TSN1]C.Thomas[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center].278[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center].389[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]16[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]54[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]9[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]15[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]21[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]3[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]0[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]4[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]4[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]14[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]0[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD]

[/TABLE]

I am not suggesting that Thomas is a long term solution, but Thomas is playing adequately and Hicks needs to post some solid numbers before he returns to the Twins. [/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TD=class: TSN1][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD]

[/TABLE]

Having Hicks play in AAA after his rehab is a painless way to address what was pretty clearly a mistake dating back to before opening day.

Can't say it was a mistake. He hit himself into the job in Florida & Mastro was not healthy enough to be counted on, even for the short term. Hicks was finally putting up decent numbers at the time of his injury, and should reclaim the job unless he absolutely stinks in his rehab.

Thomas has done a decent job. But Hicks is better now and in the future. I'm inclined to throw out the first two weeks of the season. Since then, Hicks has been about what most people expected, which is fine--he's improved as the season went along. I don't see how AAA helps him all that much. And my only concern with him is his development. If you can show that he will develop faster in AAA, fine. I just don't see that.

If Hicks doesn't hit well in AAA, there is no reason to bring him back to the Twins. Thomas is doing fine (for now).

It is all about Hicks. He is an asset they need in 2014.

When Thomas regresses, they can throw Richardson out there and eventually Mastroianni. Those three journeymen can hold the place until Hicks shows some domination in AAA.

Hicks' splits:

[TABLE=class: sortable stats_table]

[TH=class: tooltip sort_default_asc, align: left]Split[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]G[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]GS[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]PA[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]AB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]R[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]H[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]2B[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]3B[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]HR[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]RBI[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]CS[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]BB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SO[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]BA[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]OBP[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]SLG[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]OPS[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]TB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]GDP[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]HBP[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SH[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SF[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]IBB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]ROE[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]BAbip[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]tOPS+[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]sOPS+[/TH]

[TD=align: left]April/March[/TD]

[TD=align: right]21[/TD]

[TD=align: right]20[/TD]

[TD=align: right]83[/TD]

[TD=align: right]71[/TD]

[TD=align: right]10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]8[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]8[/TD]

[TD=align: right]3[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]11[/TD]

[TD=align: right]26[/TD]

[TD=align: right].113[/TD]

[TD=align: right].229[/TD]

[TD=align: right].127[/TD]

[TD=align: right].356[/TD]

[TD=align: right]9[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4[/TD]

[TD=align: right].174[/TD]

[TD=align: right]31[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4[/TD]

[TR=class: hl]

[TD=align: left]May[/TD]

[TD=align: right]27[/TD]

[TD=align: right]25[/TD]

[TD=align: right]100[/TD]

[TD=align: right]94[/TD]

[TD=align: right]12[/TD]

[TD=align: right]19[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]6[/TD]

[TD=align: right]10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]6[/TD]

[TD=align: right]23[/TD]

[TD=align: right].202[/TD]

[TD=align: right].250[/TD]

[TD=align: right].457[/TD]

[TD=align: right].707[/TD]

[TD=align: right]43[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right].200[/TD]

[TD=align: right]141[/TD]

[TD=align: right]92[/TD]

[/TR]

[TD=align: left]June[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right]28[/TD]

[TD=align: right]25[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right].280[/TD]

[TD=align: right].308[/TD]

[TD=align: right].400[/TD]

[TD=align: right].708[/TD]

[TD=align: right]10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right].389[/TD]

[TD=align: right]146[/TD]

[TD=align: right]99[/TD]

[/TABLE]

Hicks' splits:

[TABLE=class: sortable stats_table]

[TH=class: tooltip sort_default_asc' date=' align: left"]Split[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]G[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]GS[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]PA[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]AB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]R[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]H[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]2B[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]3B[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]HR[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]RBI[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]CS[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]BB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SO[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]BA[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]OBP[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]SLG[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]OPS[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]TB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]GDP[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]HBP[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SH[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]SF[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]IBB[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]ROE[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip hide_non_quals, align: center]BAbip[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]tOPS+[/TH]

[TH=class: tooltip, align: center]sOPS+[/TH]

[TD=align: left]April/March[/TD]

[TD=align: right]21[/TD]

[TD=align: right]20[/TD]

[TD=align: right]83[/TD]

[TD=align: right]71[/TD]

[TD=align: right]10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]8[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]8[/TD]

[TD=align: right]3[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]11[/TD]

[TD=align: right]26[/TD]

[TD=align: right].113[/TD]

[TD=align: right].229[/TD]

[TD=align: right].127[/TD]

[TD=align: right].356[/TD]

[TD=align: right]9[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4[/TD]

[TD=align: right].174[/TD]

[TD=align: right]31[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4[/TD]

[TR=class: hl]

[TD=align: left]May[/TD]

[TD=align: right]27[/TD]

[TD=align: right]25[/TD]

[TD=align: right]100[/TD]

[TD=align: right]94[/TD]

[TD=align: right]12[/TD]

[TD=align: right]19[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]6[/TD]

[TD=align: right]10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]6[/TD]

[TD=align: right]23[/TD]

[TD=align: right].202[/TD]

[TD=align: right].250[/TD]

[TD=align: right].457[/TD]

[TD=align: right].707[/TD]

[TD=align: right]43[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right].200[/TD]

[TD=align: right]141[/TD]

[TD=align: right]92[/TD]

[/TR]

[TD=align: left]June[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right]28[/TD]

[TD=align: right]25[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1[/TD]

[TD=align: right]7[/TD]

[TD=align: right].280[/TD]

[TD=align: right].308[/TD]

[TD=align: right].400[/TD]

[TD=align: right].708[/TD]

[TD=align: right]10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right]0[/TD]

[TD=align: right].389[/TD]

[TD=align: right]146[/TD]

[TD=align: right]99[/TD]

[/TABLE]

His stats are trending in the right direction. Get him healthy and back in the bigs

A lot of predictors, based on a couple years in being cultured in the current Twins' Way, espoused that Carlos Gomez could never be better either. Clete Thomas is not my choice for center field with a healthy Hicks available, but to discount his improvement, is to deny that Hicks can improve. I think all players can improve, and so should they. Colabello has too. I don't care if he is 29. That could be another 7-10 years of heightened performance. Some blossom at different times. The keen eye that sees that, and cultures that, will find a team that wins and wins with spirit. Plus, it would help that Hicks has a great rehab, just as he had a great spring training, just for the hope factor.

Can't say it was a mistake. He hit himself into the job in Florida & Mastro was not healthy enough to be counted on, even for the short term. Hicks was finally putting up decent numbers at the time of his injury, and should reclaim the job unless he absolutely stinks in his rehab.

It's interesting that people believe that Hicks' very good 40 PA's in spring training rightfully earned him a job, and that his 40 dreadful PA's to start the regular season should be ignored.

At least some of Hicks' 'improvement' is just the simple fact that it's difficult to be historically bad for very long. And some of it is that his very bad luck on batted balls in play has evened out. So while he's certainly looked better, quite a bit of that is just perception and better luck. If you're batting .153/.221/.267 against right-handed pitching after a third of a season, it's safe to say that you could use a little time in the first level you ever skipped in your career.