Well, this trade is turning out a lot like many people expected... Yes, it's early and yes, a lot can change but I thought it'd be fun to track these two over the course of the season because important things are important.

 

I'm going to use BB-Ref for simplicity's sake. As of 4/16:

 

Hicks:

13 PAs, .083/.154/.083/.237, -29 OPS+, -0.4 WAR

 

Murphy:

11 PAs, .091/.091/.182/.273, -23 OPS+, 0.0 WAR

 

Not a lot of data points but I'm declaring a winner none-the-less. While Hicks is dominant with his .071 isoD, Murphy is raking the ball to all fields with his .099 higher slugging. Despite Hicks' bird-of-prey eye from both sides of the plate, it's pretty clear Murphy has taken an early and possibly commanding lead with a keen power stroke, led by his -23 OPS+, a full -6 OPS+ higher than Hicks' early effort.

 

Our inaugural champion, wearing the white shorts with red and gold piping:

http://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201604090/images/headshots/0/09077946_mlbam.jpg

Brilliant stuff.

 

However, Hicks has surged ahead of Murphy in OPS+ after yesterday, -30 to -44. This bears watching and I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Murphy pick himself up off the carpet today and strike out, I mean strike back.

Brilliant stuff.

 

However, Hicks has surged ahead of Murphy in OPS+ after yesterday, -30 to -44. This bears watching and I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Murphy pick himself up off the carpet today and strike out, I mean strike back.

In situations such as this, we can't allow ourselves to be swayed by a single day of play.

 

But we need to revisit this at least once a week, maybe twice.

FWIW Eric Fryer is 6 for 6 with the Cards. 2.333 OPS

Which, given the fact that Aaron Hicks can't hit, makes it an interesting option to explore to solve the catching issue.

 

I agree that there were better options over the last few years, but we have more upside in this trade if you can just accept that Hicks isn't any good.

I don't think "Aaron Hicks can't hit" is factual.

I think Murphy's skills as a receiver and Gibson's ability to pitch in the lower part of the strike zone are a good match. If Gibson isn't getting the bottom of the strike zone, he needs to bring his pitches up and will not be as successful. I hope Molitor keeps these two paired for a few more starts.

 

I don't think "Aaron Hicks can't hit" is factual.

 

Well, there is an abundance of factual evidence to the point.  

 

I guess he might be able to hit well in a tee ball game, but major league pitching has been a dumpster fire.

 

I think Murphy's skills as a receiver and Gibson's ability to pitch in the lower part of the strike zone are a good match. If Gibson isn't getting the bottom of the strike zone, he needs to bring his pitches up and will not be as successful. I hope Molitor keeps these two paired for a few more starts.

Agree. He stole at least one or two strikes today and looks okay at blocking and fielding. But his bat doesn't look any better than Suzuki's IMO. Or Hicks'.

Aaron Hicks takes the lead in this battle to the death with his 105 MPH rocket to gun out a runner at home plate yesterday... 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkYrT5arGVw

EDIT: I didn't realize this until I watched it again, but he gunned out former Twin Danny Valencia too! 

Edited April 21, 201610 yr by Vanimal46

Meanwhile, over in the ex-Twin Spartacus division, Eric Fryer maintains his slight OPS+ advantage over Chris Herrmann, 523 to -55.

Edited April 21, 201610 yr by Hosken Bombo Disco

SSS alert! Murphy can't block low balls, Suzuki can't throw, and neither one can hit! Now I know why Gardy carried 3 catchers!

EDIT: I didn't realize this until I watched it again, but he gunned out former Twin Danny Valencia too! 

Well then it doesn't really count.

 

After watching the video I wonder if the runner would have given himself a better chance just going straight for the plate with his left foot. Even with recent rules protecting fielders, you can still do that, right?

 

Well then it doesn't really count.

 

After watching the video I wonder if the runner would have given himself a better chance just going straight for the plate with his left foot. Even with recent rules protecting fielders, you can still do that, right?

Agreed- it was a great throw, but my take was that Valencia would have been safe if he'd gone straight to the plate.  Worst case, I think umps would have called him safe for McCann "blocking" the plate.

 

Still, a great throw, no question.

 

I note that Danny has an OPS+ of 103, and 4 errors at third base in 14 games.  I thought everyone but the A's had decided 3B was not his position.

Things have turned on their head in the past week. John Ryan Murphy, famed slugger from the first week of the season, has wilted under the bright lights of the Big Show, collecting only a single hit in the last seven days.

 

Meanwhile, Aaron Hicks has crushed the Big Apple with his laser-focused eye at the plate, collecting both a hit and a walk. When combined with his stellar defense and 194mph rocket arm in center, he's nearly back to replacement level. Watch out New York, there's a new Sheriff in town and his name is Aaron ****ing Hicks.

 

John Ryan Murphy:

.077 .111 .115 .226, -36 OPS+, -0.2 WAR

 

Aaron Hicks:

.095 .174 .095 .269, -20 OPS+, -0.2 WAR

 

Our winner, wearing the white trunks with black piping:

http://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201604090/images/headshots/b/b5cb7a54_mlbam.jpg

Scotty Boman once commented on a trade thusly: nothing for nothing ain't much.

 

Starting to ring true.

There is an insider article on ESPN today with all of Law's posts about Hicks from his time as a 16 yo to his last year in the minors.........kind of interesting if you want to see how his thoughts did/did not change over time.

Should've kept Hicks a pitcher.

Dammit, Terry! Hicks threw a ball really hard! He could have thrown a ball really hard for us, but you BLEW IT!

I actually would keep the trade. Murphy is youngish already better than Susuki behind the plate. Fingers crossed he turns out to be ok with the stick

And Hicksie takes an insurmountable lead.

Better pray it works out. I don't think there's another C on the 40 man

Better pray it works out. I don't think there's another C on the 40 man

We can always trade a surplus outfielder for one.

 

Better pray it works out. I don't think there's another C on the 40 man

 

Who knows how I will feel a year from now... but as of right now. 

 

I still feel... actually the feeling has increased... almost doubled... that the trade was a mistake. 

 

Hicks should be starting in CF for the Twins 

 

Buxton should have started in AAA  (Yes... We'd be complaining about Hick's Start but at least our better prospect wouldn't be striking out at a 50 percent clip.)

 

and JR Murphy should be with the Yankees. 

 

Who Should be the backup Catcher for the Twins

 

Salty... Arencebia... I Don't Care... The Hicks guy they just released for nothing.

 

Just pick someone who doesn't cost us a guy who has Power Speed and an Arm capable of hitting the upper 90's. 

 

 

 

After this debacle in Washington, I can only say--  Theeeeeeeeeeeeeee...... Yankees win!

 

And Hicksie takes an insurmountable lead.

Which of the 2 Hicksie's that they pssd away wins?  Aaron or John?  Sheesh, this team...

Another update: Aaron Hicks with 2 hits and a walk last night, including a go-ahead RBI double in the 7th inning. With the aid of two recent HR, he has almost tripled his OPS from a week ago, up to .546 now (just ahead of Rosario).

 

John Ryan Murphy has taken a unique approach to besting him, though -- his .354 OPS at AAA, when added on top of his .219 OPS in MLB, could give him the lead!  (Gladiator showdowns aren't good places for math anyway )

 

(Gladiator showdowns aren't good places for math anyway)

Absolutely not. Style points matter.

I firmly believe that Murphy would just stop with the 'John Ryan' crap and go with JR, he could re-emerge in an Urkel to Stefan like transformation. 

 

I firmly believe that Murphy would just stop with the 'John Ryan' crap and go with JR, he could re-emerge in an Urkel to Stefan like transformation. 

You might be onto something.  Before his demotion, FSN cameras caught this shot of Murphy in the dugout after yet another unsuccessful plate appearance:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya2xifdO_l0

The season is winding down, and I need some closure.... 

Brock? Who won this gladiator showdown?

 

Brock? Who won this gladiator showdown?

Baseball fans.