Regarding Hicks, I can' see any way that he will start 2014 in Minnesota. He was promoted to Minnesota on the basis of a strong 2012 in AA and a very good spring training. While Shane is saying his season wasn't a failure, it was assuredly below average. His 2013 wasn't a springboard for starting the season in the majors, and given his performance last spring training and subsequent poor performance, a strong spring can't be used to justify starting him in the majors. Hicks absolutely needs to perform well at Rochester before being promoted.

Ok, reality seems to indicate that Yoon is a real possibility. And, yes, Hicks is likely to start in Rochester. I don't really want for the Twins to sign some marginal AAAA player yet again, and neither do I want them to get an aging and declining veteran for the corner OF.

 

So maybe they don't do that and they start with Willingham-Presley-Parmelee in the OF (Arcia either in AAA or getting quite a bit of time at DH). If those walks start to drop for Willingham (because his bat is less of a threat and pitchers are aware of this now), Parmelee really doesn't improve significantly, and Presley actually achieves what could be expected of a marginal MLB player, then the team is going to get around zero WAR from the three of them while also no development for the future. That's the kind of scenario that is quite scary to me. I don't think much was actually figured out in 2013 and I don't want another similar situation in 2014. This is why I am much more willing to part with these older and replaceable players now.

 

By the way, I may have been onto something with Correia and the Giants. Clearly, the Twins are not going to trade the only pitcher they can be fully confident will be an actual 4th-5th starter in terms of quality. But Correia would thus fit nicely at the backend of the Giants rotation.

My answer to Shane's question would be Chuck Knoblach.

Nolasco is fine, as long as he's not the top guy we bring in. A lot of this offseason hinges on where they think Plouffe will play when "the mighty stick" becomes a major leaguer. I think they sort of project him (Plouffe) over to 1st base or RF, so don't expect the Twins to add any depth at those positions. Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have a Buxton, Hicks, Plouffe outfield when we win the World Series.

Nolasco is fine, as long as he's not the top guy we bring in. A lot of this offseason hinges on where they think Plouffe will play when "the mighty stick" becomes a major leaguer. I think they sort of project him (Plouffe) over to 1st base or RF, so don't expect the Twins to add any depth at those positions. Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have a Buxton, Hicks, Plouffe outfield when we win the World Series.

 

If the second best pitcher they bring in is a 3 year/$42 million or so guy then woah.

 

Nolasco is not close to worth that kind of money. He is basically merely Correia+

 

Anyway, I think you are right about Plouffe. I think giving him some time in the corner OF spots before Sano even arrives might be helpful.

 

And against lefties he is very good.

Knoblauch came up and batted second between Gladden and Puckett.

 

But that is pretty close enough.

 

And Chuck Knoblauch had a rookie .701 OPS . . . which is roughly what Hicks had after April.

 

Who'dathunk?

Knoblauch came up and batted second between Gladden and Puckett.

 

But that is pretty close enough.

 

And Chuck Knoblauch had a rookie .701 OPS . . . which is roughly what Hicks had after April.

 

Who'dathunk?

 

So you're saying we should trade Hicks tquickly before he forgets how to throw a ball?

Trade Brian Dozier & Glen Perkins to the Braves for Alex Wood & Sean Gilmartin.

 

Not quite exactly, but good call nonetheless!

Not quite exactly, but good call nonetheless!

 

Hahaha well Alex Wood would have looked very good as the #5 in the rotation.