Twins announce that Hicks will be their starting Centerfielder

[Thrylos]

per the MLB network.

 

Details will probably follow tomorrow.

 

Great to hear and I could not see a different outcome...

[Guest USAFChief]

But, but, but...the extra year of team control! Whatever will the Twins do in 2020?

[jokin]

per the MLB network.

 

Details will probably follow tomorrow.

 

Great to hear and I could not see a different outcome...

 

Breaking news from the pulse of the Twins, LEN3- just posted at 8PM!:

 

Sports

 

Oh wait, nevermind.../S

[70charger]

Well, I'm happy for him, and I'm glad to be able to see him in the 12 degree weather I'll be sitting in on opening day.

 

I might not conclude that that extra year of control is necessarily gone yet, though...

[beckmt]

Great news. Twins need to see what more of the young players can do. Extra year of control only matters if the player is a superstar or a player that is not likely to be resigned after 6 years. At this point, who knows. This is best for the Twins.

[Halsey Hall]

That's great news. Clock, schmock, I may not be alive in 2020. The future is now.

[Kwak]

Discussion about control is totally bogus. If Hicks is "a miss", who cares? If Hicks is a star, he will be signed to a 4+ year contract after 3 years, or he will be traded for multiple players. The Twins will still have an excess of CF and a shortage of ML quality pitchers after the 2015 season making trading Hicks a viable option.

[snepp]

Discussion about control is totally bogus.

 

Yeah, totally.

 

[Badsmerf]

Why is it difficult to digest that a month in AAA during a losing season will give the Twins an extra year of cost control during a time when they will be competing? Yes he looks like the best option right now. I'll take the trade off. The Twins must fee like their had is forced in some way. I don't agree with it one bit.

[Physics Guy]

Nobody should see this as a shock. Hicks has been the predominant CF and leadoff batter all ST. Reports have been very encouraging and he has even showed a bit of pop with the bat. Watching him on Thursday, I thought he looked quite ready. He takes solid AB and looked very comfortable in the field (unlike Benson). I understand the hand-wringing regarding the team-control issue, but I hope this thread doesn't evolve into more ranting that he should start in the minors. It's not going to happen. There is always the chance he scuffles a bit and gets sent down, like many players do. I for one hope he takes this chance and runs with it.

[Physics Guy]

Here's another way to look at it. With the changes made to the coaching staff during the offseason, it appears as though Gardy has been put on notice. Wouldn't it be hypocritical to fire Gardy at the end of the season when you don't allow him to keep what he believes are the best players?

[Badsmerf]

Here's another way to look at it. With the changes made to the coaching staff during the offseason, it appears as though Gardy has been put on notice. Wouldn't it by hypocritical to fire Gardy at the end of the season when you don't allow him to keep what he believes are the best players?

Gady should have been let go a long time ago. I don't think a few losing season with lackluster talent has anything to do with his managing.

[IdahoPilgrim]

My sources tell me that the same press release will also confirm that water is wet and that Christmas will be scheduled this year for December 25th.

[PseudoSABR]

I doubt Gardy is actually the one making the decisions on the 25 man roster...

[ashbury]

If Hicks is a star, he will be signed to a 4+ year contract after 3 years, or he will be traded for multiple players.

 

Sure, but the issue of team control still will have a bearing on the nature of that contract. Remember the "team friendly" contract Denard Span still has? He spent the first month of 2008 in AAA. Can't prove cause-and-effect from just that, but it's a factor.

[cmathewson]

Fire gady!

[Kwak]

Sure, but the issue of team control still will have a bearing on the nature of that contract. Remember the "team friendly" contract Denard Span still has? He spent the first month of 2008 in AAA. Can't prove cause-and-effect from just that, but it's a factor.

 

No, it won't. Any contract will be determined by total dollars and the number of years. A signed contract will define "control". It is highly unlikely that Hicks would be able to include such perks as: "no or limited trade clause", or position in the field, or position in the batting line-up given his limited service time/status on the Twins totem pole.

 

Most likely the best course of action for the Twins would be to trade Hicks (if he becomes the player selected) for multiple players. There are so many good OFs in the franchise--and so many needs elsewhere, any issue of control is totally meaningless. The Twins need quality players and trading one for several is a time-honored way to do so. Refer to trades of Knoblach and AJ (and what was supposed to occur with Santana).

[Mr. Brooks]

No, it won't. Any contract will be determined by total dollars and the number of years. A signed contract will define "control". It is highly unlikely that Hicks would be able to include such perks as: "no or limited trade clause", or position in the field, or position in the batting line-up given his limited service time/status on the Twins totem pole.

 

Most likely the best course of action for the Twins would be to trade Hicks (if he becomes the player selected) for multiple players. There are so many good OFs in the franchise--and so many needs elsewhere, any issue of control is totally meaningless. The Twins need quality players and trading one for several is a time-honored way to do so. Refer to trades of Knoblach and AJ (and what was supposed to occur with Santana).

 

When young players who are still under team control are signed to long term extensions, the contract typically buys out the ARB years, plus 1 or 2 years of FA.

Service time still plays an important role, because it either gives you one more year of sample size before you need to offer that extension, or it allows you to add one extra year to the extension.

EXAMPLE: Hicks and his agent decide that the longest deal they are willing to do is ARB years + first 2 years of FA. If you have have an extra year of team control, that means you can sign him to a 6 year extension, rather than a 5 year extension, OR you can wait one more year before offering that 5 year extension.

 

I'm not arguing Hicks shouldnt be up, I think he should be, and I'm glad he is.

I"m just pointing out that even if a player is good enough to be locked up long term, that extra year of team control can sometimes still be a factor.

[Craig Arko]

And now confirmed. Still waiting on the Opening Day pitching assignment.

[Scheherezade]

Aaron Hicks named starting center fielder; Mauer's 6 RBI lead Twins over Jays | StarTribune.com

[spideyo]

Here's another way to look at it. With the changes made to the coaching staff during the offseason, it appears as though Gardy has been put on notice. Wouldn't it be hypocritical to fire Gardy at the end of the season when you don't allow him to keep what he believes are the best players?

 

 

Totally agree. I think Terry Ryan wants to give Gardy the opportunity to succeed, and part of that includes giving him the best tools to do so.

 

Also remember, the Twins need to shore up fan support NOW or they will have an empty stadium in 2015. Keeping one of the most exciting young guys on the team in AAA for a bit might make sense on paper, but Hicks as the starter will sell some tickets and get some positive attention to the team (at least at first). You think it's hard to get them to spend money on stars now, imagine how it would be if they let attendance keep sliding.