Find me a center fielder

[AlwaysinModeration]

Yes

 

Oh. Just saw it in the Star Trib. That's good news.

[70charger]

He did?

 

 

News to me too. But apparently, yes. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24572913/aaron-hicks-will-stop-switch-hitting-due-to-lack-of-confidence-from-left-side

[cmathewson]

That's the answer. Give him a month or more strictly as a right-handed hitter and see how he does.

 

As for tracking fly balls, I wish more outfielders on the Twins tracked them as well as he does. He's gotten turned around on a few screaming liners. But he's the best defensive center fielder in the system not named Buxton. People pine for Revere or some comparable replacement player. Few have the range or arm that Hicks possesses.

 

All the things he has struggled with are unique to the majors (triple decker stands behind home plate where high drives get lost, exploding sliders, etc.) He will only learn to overcome them by playing against major league competition. Meanwhile, how is a .330 OBP out of the number 9 hole hurting us?

[TheLeviathan]

As for tracking fly balls, I wish more outfielders on the Twins tracked them as well as he does. He's gotten turned around on a few screaming liners. But he's the best defensive center fielder in the system not named Buxton. People pine for Revere or some comparable replacement player. Few have the range or arm that Hicks possesses.

 

I honestly have no clue who you are watching out there but it isn't Hicks.

[ALessKosherScott]

Except that by using a "Gomez timetable", Byron Buxton would already be established as the future of the franchise in center field. Hicks has this year and maybe part of next year to establish himself. I have said it many times in many ways, I don't think Hicks will ever hit enough to be a viable regular as a corner OF.

 

Alternatively, we'll be in the middle of bitching about how the 22-year-old Buxton is a bust while the 26-year-old Hicks is starting to blossom on that timeline. Morneau was a bust until 2006. Ditto Cuddyer. Hunter took time to figure things out too, like most prospects do.

 

Let's give Hicks some time to figure things out and see what he can be. If he needs to go to AAA, that's what Fuld is for. We don't need a stopgap centerfielder. We need to develop the talent we have.

[notoriousgod71]

Chris Denorfia

 

If you ask the same question about a fifth starter I would look back to SD and say Tim Stauffer.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Alternatively, we'll be in the middle of bitching about how the 22-year-old Buxton is a bust while the 26-year-old Hicks is starting to blossom on that timeline. Morneau was a bust until 2006. Ditto Cuddyer. Hunter took time to figure things out too, like most prospects do.

 

Let's give Hicks some time to figure things out and see what he can be. If he needs to go to AAA, that's what Fuld is for. We don't need a stopgap centerfielder. We need to develop the talent we have.

And when Fuld gets his bell rung again, then what? No CF on the roster, or promote a guy who still isn't ready? I firmly believe every team needs two people who can play center on the MLB roster and at least one in AAA. Right now, there is one on the DL and one in the bigs who isn't ready.

 

For crying out loud they sent Hermann to AAA to work on CF! A guy who they pulled from the OF to be catcher.

[jokin]

And when Fuld gets his bell rung again, then what? No CF on the roster, or promote a guy who still isn't ready? I firmly believe every team needs two people who can play center on the MLB roster and at least one in AAA. Right now, there is one on the DL and one in the bigs who isn't ready.

 

For crying out loud they sent Hermann to AAA to work on CF! A guy who they pulled from the OF to be catcher.

 

Well-stated. You have to have 2 legit CF options at the major league level and at least 3 on the 40-man roster. They must not mind appearing to be laughingstocks by first, keeping Bartlett over acutal CFers....and now, throwing Hermann out there as #3 on the depth chart.

 

Perhaps the Twin need look no further than the Texas Rangers, among their current 13-man DL list are two candidates. Engel Beltre is out of options, and is eligible to come off of the DL this Thursday. They also have 29-year old Joe Aducci, out with a broken finger, he's played quite a bit of CF in the minors.

[Thrylos]

Well-stated. You have to have 2 legit CF options at the major league level and at least 3 on the 40-man roster.

 

FWIW, they got those 3 Max Kepler has been exclusively playing Centerfield the last couple weeks in Florida

[jokin]

FWIW, they got those 3 Max Kepler has been exclusively playing Centerfield the last couple weeks in Florida

 

That there are multiple players on the 40 man who are not ready to play upper-level minor league ball, let alone major league ball, is a whole different problem with the Twins roster construction.

[Otwins]

Anyone know if Andres Torres ever recovered from his injury? He could be a stop gap in center that would not require the Twins to trade anyone. Just $$

[Riverbrian]

With the quitting LH hitting cold turkey... I'd like to hold my latest judgement of Hicks for a little while.

 

However... If Hicks after batting RH only... Actually improves measurably and immediately... I would also like to reserve the right to re-direct my current concern over Hicks to the Twins organization for not recognizing this earlier.

 

For now... I reserve all judgement and wait for fresh data.

[jokin]

With the quitting LH hitting cold turkey... I'd like to hold my latest judgement of Hicks for a little while.

 

However... If Hicks after batting RH only... Actually improves measurably and immediately... I would also like to reserve the right to re-direct my current concern over Hicks to the Twins organization for not recognizing this earlier.

 

For now... I reserve all judgement and wait for fresh data........

 

...to second-guess with later. (Just kidding;)).

 

Cmon RB. You know it, I know it, this is just simply another aspect to how spectacularly badly this whole thing has been bungled from Day 1 in 2013. That this Hicks decision totally came out of Left...er...Center Field, just this morning- from a guy clearly desperate, and hasn't been actively contemplated and tried out in the minors on the part of the Twins before this, is solely on the Twins organization.

[Riverbrian]

...to second-guess with later. (Just kidding;)).

 

Cmon RB. You know it, I know it, this is just simply another aspect to how spectacularly badly this whole thing has been bungled from Day 1 in 2013. That this Hicks decision totally came out of Left...er...Center Field, just this morning- from a guy clearly desperate, and hasn't been actively contemplated and tried out in the minors on the part of the Twins before this, is solely on the Twins organization.

 

I have the same suspicion... But I will wait for the fresh data.

[jorgenswest]

As mentioned by Leviathon earlier, the Cardinals have a surplus in the OF.

 

What would you give up for Jay or Bourjos?

 

It would be great if they wanted Burton or Florimon, but the Cardinals won't be dumping them. Would you trade May?

 

Walker?

 

Fien?

[Thrylos]

As mentioned by Leviathon earlier, the Cardinals have a surplus in the OF.

 

What would you give up for Jay or Bourjos?

 

It would be great if they wanted Burton or Florimon, but the Cardinals won't be dumping them. Would you trade May?

 

Walker?

 

Fien?

 

Bourjos and Jay do not belong in the same sentence.

 

Bourjos is a 27 y.o RHB who is hitting .204/.274/.310 this season with a career .247/.303/.389 line and 2 arb seasons to come. Candidate to not be offered arbitration after this season. Thanks, I'd pass. Hicks is better.

 

Jay is a 29 year old LHB who is hitting .293/.346/.397 this season (almost identical to his .293/.355/.400 - OPS+ 108 career numbers) Also 2 years of arbitration to go. He can also steal a base. For comparison's reference, when traded, then 28 year old Denard Span's career numbers with the Twins were .284/.357/.389 (104 OPS+) Very similar players, but Span's contract situation was better and he was a year older.

 

It took Meyer two seasons ago to get Span. Something comparable as far as prospects go, would be Berrios now. Pretty sure that Walker or Fien will not make it happen. There is no way that Burton or Florimon make it happen, but May may. I'd trade Berrios before May, but I'd rather see what Hicks can do for the rest of the season as a RHB.

[jorgenswest]

I would pass on giving up top 10 prospects. Particularly pitching prospects.

 

If the Twins care about outfield defense, they would at least have to wonder if Jay is really better on a corner. The Cardinals made the move for Bourjos because of his defense. Has Jay been on the DL? If not, why does he have fewer starts than Bourjos? That includes starts on the corners. Bourjos may not be in the same sentence, but he has been in the starting lineup more often.

[JustcallupSANO]

Jon Jay is the answer if we want to fix CF situation. A lefty bat who could hit lead off I would give them Logan Darnell and Dalton Hicks or just Travis Harrison

[Mr. Brooks]

Jon Jay is the answer if we want to fix CF situation. A lefty bat who could hit lead off I would give them Logan Darnell and Dalton Hicks or just Travis Harrison

 

I would have to think the Cards could get much better than that for Jay.

[Brandon]

I found a link to this on mlbtraderumors.com

 

It basically says the Twins are interested in Jon Jay.

 

So what would the Twins have to give up to get Jon Jay? would Rosario and Salcedo get it done?

[Danchat]

I found a link to this on mlbtraderumors.com

 

It basically says the Twins are interested in Jon Jay.

 

So what would the Twins have to give up to get Jon Jay? would Rosario and Salcedo get it done?

Eh, I don't know if Jay is worth Rosario. I don't think I'd do that trade.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Basically what Thrylos said: a Meyer type prospect at minimum. Might not seem fair but the Twins would be bargaining from a position of need, against other teams who also are seeking outfield help.

[drivlikejehu]

The Cardinals aren't getting a top 50 prospect for Jay.

[Kwak]

The Twins need hitting not fielding. It would be ridiculously foolish to trade someone who is deemed "part of the future" to satisfy a temporary need in CF--for a losing team. Another "replacement level" CF only clouds the issue.

[Thrylos]

The Twins need hitting not fielding. It would be ridiculously foolish to trade someone who is deemed "part of the future" to satisfy a temporary need in CF--for a losing team. Another "replacement level" CF only clouds the issue.

 

Replacement level? Jay has 9.6 career WAR in 5 seasons in limited action in some. Had a 3.4 and 2.9 WAR season. That is not replacement level

[jorgenswest]

Offensively, Jay and Span are a match. I am not so sure they are a match with the glove.

 

We could look at defensive metrics to answer the question and then argue their value. I don't think we need to do that. The Cardinals have answered the question by trading for Bourjos and playing him in spite of a dismal April performance. Jay's bat is clearly better. Good enough to be ranked 13th among CFs last year by RC+. Why replace him? Why look for a replacement? He's 29. He has a reasonable contract.

 

It has to be the glove. They must not feel it is adequate for CF. Last year was his first as a regular at that position. Enough time for the Cardinals to assess that they should look elsewhere.

 

He helps the Twins this year more than the Cardinals. However, I don't think he is a building block for the future. I would keep my building blocks. I wouldn't trade good up the middle or starting pitching prospects. They are too hard to acquire. I might sell high on Vargas though.

[Kwak]

Offensively, Jay and Span are a match.

 

 

 

He helps the Twins this year more than the Cardinals. However, I don't think he is a building block for the future. I would keep my building blocks. I wouldn't trade good up the middle or starting pitching prospects. They are too hard to acquire. I might sell high on Vargas though.

 

And the Twins are expected to trade? for an extra 2-3 wins? So the Twins can win maybe 75--and still be irrelevant? No. As posted he's 29, and would just be in the way after this year. Take the lumps (and the losses) by playing who is on the roster and draft one or two slots higher in June 2015.

[Brandon]

And the Twins are expected to trade? for an extra 2-3 wins? So the Twins can win maybe 75--and still be irrelevant? No. As posted he's 29, and would just be in the way after this year. Take the lumps (and the losses) by playing who is on the roster and draft one or two slots higher in June 2015.

 

It depends on what we have to give up to acquire him. With a .750 OPS He hits just enough to be a corner OF when Buxton comes up plus his defense will grade out better there too. I don't know what St Louis would want in a trade for him but we could offer a bunch of different prospect combinations. They might be interested in pitchers in the lower minors since they have strong depth at the majors already. They may want middle IF,

What about Deunsing as part of the package. I see they can use some bullpen help. beyond that I guess they would want to improve their minors with more prospects.

[Thegrin]

what is wrong with playing Danny Santana in CF? He's fast. He's hitting. He can learn to play center field faster than Hicks can learn to hit RH pitchers from the right side of the plate.

 

This is a fun situation. I like Escobar at short and defense was always Santana's weakness as a shortstop.

 

Unless we risk trying Dozier again at SS, we don't need more 2nd basemen. So lets enjoy watching Santana's progress.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

what is wrong with playing Danny Santana in CF? He's fast. He's hitting. He can learn to play center field faster than Hicks can learn to hit RH pitchers from the right side of the plate.

 

This is a fun situation. I like Escobar at short and defense was always Santana's weakness as a shortstop.

 

Unless we risk trying Dozier again at SS, we don't need more 2nd basemen. So lets enjoy watching Santana's progress.

You are on to something here...

 

I've been stuck on the notion that Santana is the short stop of the future, but like you say, he's struggled with SS in the past. I have been arguing for Escobar to take over at SS (as a better alternative to P-Flo) bridge to Santana, when a Santana is ready.

 

Well I got what I wanted and Escobar has been better than expected. Over the last month he's been a very good fielder and hit well. I don't think he can maintain hitting the was he has, but there is only one way to find out for certain.

 

Does Escobar at SS and a Santana in CF solve the issues? Maybe...