I don't understand why people think that sending him to AAA during the season and then back up to the majors is some sort of "wrong" way of handling him. As long as he is playing every day he will be fine. It's not like he is some "mental midget"

Let's keep in mind that a Benson-Hicks-Arcia OF at the end of the year could mean a big haul in trades at the deadline. I have a hard time believing that Willingham and Morneau wouldn't bring back Span-Revere like returns. Add Parmelee into that mix and it could be Span-Revere-Liriano trade returns (assuming Parm has a good year).

 

There are things that happen as a chain reaction (I am about chain reactions and player development around here). Adding legit pitchers could mean that even the naysayers about Trevor May could be right in that maybe his future ends up in the bullpen. That is maybe another year of Twins trades brings in more pitching prospects and so May becomes a setup-closer option instead of a starter. (Note: that is why I like Hudson Boyd draft selections more than college reliever selections--draft starters to convert into relievers if you have to--Nick Wittgren aside--that would have been a good pick instead of that ass who didn't sign).

I don't understand why people think that sending him to AAA during the season and then back up to the majors is some sort of "wrong" way of handling him. As long as he is playing every day he will be fine. It's not like he is some "mental midget"

 

That's cool, but I think it messes with people if they have been essentially promoted from AA to the big leagues and then sent down to AAA and then back up. See Revere 2011, Parmelee and Dozier 2012.

Point is: It is probably good to promote from AA to AAA and then MLB. There's value in that. I have started threads about the worth of AAA experience. Maybe it doesn't apply to Hicks since the overall defense is THAT stellar.

I'm convinced that the primary beneficiary of a Morneau or Willingham trade will be Arcia. He's probably already a better hitter than Benson, and if a corner opens up, he should at least be platooned. He has the added advantage of being a lefthanded hitter.

That's cool, but I think it messes with people if they have been essentially promoted from AA to the big leagues and then sent down to AAA and then back up. See Revere 2011, Parmelee and Dozier 2012.

I'm not sure how it messed with those guys though. In reality Revere, Parmelee and Dozier were never close to the prospect that Hicks is and was. Hicks is a 5 tool type guy, while the rest are 1 or 2 tool guys.

I'm convinced that the primary beneficiary of a Morneau or Willingham trade will be Arcia. He's probably already a better hitter than Benson, and if a corner opens up, he should at least be platooned. He has the added advantage of being a lefthanded hitter.

I have a feeling that Arcia is going to need at least half a season in the minors before he is ready, don't get me wrong I am thrilled about him, but he really needs to get his strike out rate in check before he is a viable every day candidate up north.

 

Benson I think will be given a shot just as a "sink or swim" type thing.

Benson will be up with the club the minute they trade Morneau and move Parmelee to first base, thus opening up an OF spot.

If Benson shows that he can hit anywhere he will certainly get his chance. So far he hasn't hit in spring training or last year. He has some skills and I really want to pull for the guy but my expectations are not that high.

 

I also think it will be tough to promote Benson over Arcia at midseason so it would take two moves/injuries for Benson to get a shot.

Everything SpiritDave said on this page is spot on (well, page 2, this might slip over to page three, which would actually be kind of funny).

I have a feeling that Arcia is going to need at least half a season in the minors before he is ready, don't get me wrong I am thrilled about him, but he really needs to get his strike out rate in check before he is a viable every day candidate up north.

 

Benson I think will be given a shot just as a "sink or swim" type thing.

 

Benson has a K rate nearly double that of Arcia, so if one of these two has to get their K rate in check I would say that is Benson.

As of right now, I think Arcia is well ahead of Benson in the organization's eyes, and I dont even think its particularly close.

If the Twins trade only Morneau at the deadline and don't get back a major league position player, it could be that both Benson and Arcia would be recalled to platoon in right, with Butera or a utility infielder being sent down. That is a long way out and a lot will happen in between, but giving both a chance to succeed is going to be the goal and a modified platoon would probably give them that chance.