Berardino: Willingham wants to finish career with Twins

[Blackjack]

I don't think Hicks will ever hit enough to be an asset as a corner OF.

 

I don't understand why people think that a good defensive corner outfielder is bad?? Until a better outfielder with better offense and adequate defense comes along, play him at corner. Two good defenders, Buxton and Hicks, could cover a lot of ground, covering for a poor defender like Arcia.

 

The optimum is for Hicks to up his value and for the Twins to trade him.

 

The only way he ups his value is by playing, either in center or one of the corner spots.

[Seth Stohs]

Where Willingham would like to finish out his career shouldn't be a consideration.

 

and it's obviously not.

[ashbury]

Two good defenders, Buxton and Hicks, could cover a lot of ground, covering for a poor defender like Arcia.

 

Put the two speedsters on the corners, and put Arcia in CF - either deep and let the corners play in a bit, or shallow and let the corners play deep - and neutralize the deficiencies.

 

/ i'm kidding... i think

[sloughfox]

with willingham injuries seemed to hamper his effectiveness at the plate in 2013. if he wants to play for us as a dh against lefthanders and ph off the bench for less money who would be better unless the wall he seemed to hit in 2013 was the final wall of his career. he should not be considered for left field. with buxton in center, hicks in right with his powerful arm (or vice versa to protect buxtons long term health), and any of our speedy young guys in left we should have the best defensive outfield in baseball for years (which should be the "twins way" again by the way). arcia should be the dh against righthanders. willingham should never be forced to see the outfield again.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Willingham does need to have reasonable expectations.

 

According to the article, Hammer bats much better when he's playing in the field as opposed DH-ing, so that's another concern.

[Marta Shearing]

No.

 

Hicks in RF, Buxton in CF, Rosario in LF, Arcia at DH, with several other young players ready to come up and be the 4th OF/DH/1B.....Even is Hicks can't play as a starter, you are covered with Arcia in RF and someone else at DH.

 

There are other ways to spend those dollars, like more SP or trading for a legit SS.

 

Yep, there is no reason to keep willingham around. Rosario in LF is the only way to go unless dozier falls flat on his face. Arcia has DH written all over him. And Buxton and Hicks will cover a ton of ground out there, and I love Hicks arm im RF.

[Kwak]

I don't understand why people think that a good defensive corner outfielder is bad?? Until a better outfielder with better offense and adequate defense comes along, play him at corner. Two good defenders, Buxton and Hicks, could cover a lot of ground, covering for a poor defender like Arcia.

 

 

 

The only way he ups his value is by playing, either in center or one of the corner spots.

 

I agree with the second statement--he needs to play--and prove his value as a CF! The problem with waiting for results in AAA, then wait some more for results for the Twins is the continued promotion/demotion cycle we've seen too many times. The entire system gets clogged when the FO refuses to make "the tough call".

 

The Twins need offense--and only getting CF numbers from a corner OF really hurts. The Twins are already facing the power droughth potential at 1B with Mauer (reference Morneau's pre-injury numbers and use those as the needed standard of performance at 1B). Repeating that for a corner OF dilutes the positive effect of (the hoped for) big numbers from 3B when Sano is promoted. Being "league-average" should not be a goal--the Twins need to be better than league average. Hicks has to show "it" ASAP! Then he could be traded to solve problems elsewhere.

[stringer bell]

Pretty much what Kwak said. I also believe that it far too early to assign DH duties to Arcia. He moves pretty well and has a good arm. I thought his defense was a couple increments worse than dreadful last year and he needs to really work on his defense, but he is young and the bat projects for him to be pretty good.

 

Hick, OTOH, needs to be better with the bat to slide over to a corner. As Kwak was pointing out, if you want to diagram a team you need above average contributions from more spots than one or two and outfield corner could certainly by manned by someone with more pop than (I think) Hicks can provide. I like outfield defense as much or more as the next guy, but corner OFs need to hit and penciling in Rosario and Hicks just doesn't provide the pop needed unless everybody else is a star or superstar.

 

I think Aaron Hicks has a chance to be a very good centerfielder, as good or better than Denard Span, but the next man up is going to be something special unless he gets hurt.

[DocBauer]

If Willingham is healthy and resorts to career norms, he would hit somewhere in the vicinity of .256/.359/28Dbls/25Hrs. Not bad numbers. And while we have all heard reports that he hits better in the field than as a DH, I would argue two points. 1) He hasn't been a full time DH before, and just like starting in the OF, there is a mental part to the approach I believe you have to accept. 2) He has Molitor around now to help him with said adjustment.

 

I also believe that Willingham, healthy and productive, would probably be at least a decent trade option at some point this season. But as I have previously stated, if productive and accepting of his new role, and some of the Twins young hitters a year or so away, D Hicks and Vargas as points of reference, I wouldn't be opposed to keeping Willingham for another season for a fair contract to help bridge the gap, providing there is no real trade value offered up for his services by another club.

 

A few interesting notes about A Hicks and a transition to a corner OF spot. He has the range to cover LF, and the arm for RF, provided he allows for enough offense. Now, this is all speculation, but based on his career milb numbers, skewed somewhat for short season vs full season and actual power improvement in 2012, his numbers carried over to MLB would mark him as a .275/.380 hitter eventually with 30Dbls/8Trpl/10HRs and 26SB per 500 ABs. Now, you can argue that this is milb vs MLB, BUT, the numbers for any kind of career do self adjust per level and age. And if his growth were to remain constant, this is approximately what you would have; an excellent defensive OF with speed, a little power and XB potential who maintains an OB% roughly a 100 points higher than his BA.

 

No, this is no absolute. But it is interesting to note. Additionally, despite his rough and disappointing 2013 season, his HR rate per AB was actually higher. Perhaps an indication of additional budding power? Since the day he was drafted, Hicks has been compared to T Hunter in everything from defense, body type, athleticism and potential. Might he, like Hunter, lose a little of the SB speed but develop more power? If so, I like him as a corner OF option.

[DocBauer]

Also, I want to echo statements made that it is ridiculous to pigeon hole Arcia as a DH so early. He won't even turn 23 until after the season starts. He has a decent arm with enough athleticism that he began his career as a CF. He was not only a rookie getting his feet wet at the ML level last year offensively, but defensively as well, bouncing between RF as well as LF. Give him a chance to gain some experience and additional coaching before earmarking him as a full time DH.

[johnnydakota]

If Hicks can hit .260-275 with 10-15 Home runs , how is that not an improvement over any player we had in the outfield last year? Maybe in 2 or 3 years he would be regulated to a 4th outfielder or trade bait, But Me thinks if we get that kind of production and solid D from him this year , he will end up being our best outfielder in 2014

[TheLeviathan]

Also, I want to echo statements made that it is ridiculous to pigeon hole Arcia as a DH so early. He won't even turn 23 until after the season starts. He has a decent arm with enough athleticism that he began his career as a CF. He was not only a rookie getting his feet wet at the ML level last year offensively, but defensively as well, bouncing between RF as well as LF. Give him a chance to gain some experience and additional coaching before earmarking him as a full time DH.

 

Citing where he started his career is pretty irrelevant, IMO. Plouffe and Cuddyer started as shortstops, that doesn't mean they belonged there in the majors.

 

Should Arcia get more opportunities this year to get better? Absolutely. But he was pretty dreadful and his instincts looked even worse last year. Given the group coming up behind him, it may be worthwhile to start getting him adjusted earlier to the mental part of DHing rather than pretending he's something he's not.

[Mike Sixel]

IF Buxton, Hicks and Rosario can all play in the majors, where would you plan to play Arcia, assuming Dozier is playing 2B? It sin't about pigeon holing, not for me.....it is about getting the best players on the field, in their best positions. Arcia will never be the defender any of those three are.

[Blackjack]

 

The Twins need offense--and only getting CF numbers from a corner OF really hurts. The Twins are already facing the power droughth potential at 1B with Mauer (reference Morneau's pre-injury numbers and use those as the needed standard of performance at 1B). Repeating that for a corner OF dilutes the positive effect of (the hoped for) big numbers from 3B when Sano is promoted. Being "league-average" should not be a goal--the Twins need to be better than league average. Hicks has to show "it" ASAP! Then he could be traded to solve problems elsewhere.

 

Good defense and good pitching at least will keep you in games. Until a 30 HR guy that plays good defense comes along, Hicks will work.

[Major League Ready]

If Hicks can hit .260-275 with 10-15 Home runs , how is that not an improvement over any player we had in the outfield last year? Maybe in 2 or 3 years he would be regulated to a 4th outfielder or trade bait, But Me thinks if we get that kind of production and solid D from him this year , he will end up being our best outfielder in 2014

 

Absolutely, I would much rather watch Hick's develop than watch Presley. Let's see what we have in him. If he develops enough offensively to play a corner spot, great. If not, he should have plenty of offense as a CF. Trade him when he establishes himself at the ML level AND when the offer is right. Two years from now we will also know what we have in Arcia, Rosario, Kepler, Walker, and others.

 

Who knows, ther right offer could come along for Dozier and Rosario ends up at 2B. Let's develop some assets and then move pieces when it becomes more obvious how to round this team into a contender.

[stringer bell]

It is interesting that so many think of Hicks' defense as elite. IMHO it wasn't even average last year. He displayed the tools to be very good, but he had a bunch of bad jumps and misplays, especially early in the season. On the Arcia discussion, if he fails to improve this year, then talk about him as only a bat. A lot of young players depend on their innate gifts in the minors and learn to be better (defenders) as major leaguers. I think that Arcia has the tools to be average or better, but he has to work at it.

[gil4]

If Hicks can hit .260-275 with 10-15 Home runs , how is that not an improvement over any player we had in the outfield last year?

 

1. "IF"

2. His defense was not nearly as good as advertised.

3. Arcia

[nicksaviking]

IF Buxton, Hicks and Rosario can all play in the majors, where would you plan to play Arcia, assuming Dozier is playing 2B? It sin't about pigeon holing, not for me.....it is about getting the best players on the field, in their best positions. Arcia will never be the defender any of those three are.

 

I assume Rosario still plays 2B. Regardless, I think we are all going to be disappointed if we assume Buxton, Hicks, Rosario and Arcia will all be able to hit enough at the MLB level to create a logjam. In my opinion, after Buxton, Arcia is the most likely to be a dependable bat. There will likely be room for him in the OF simply because other prospects won't pan out.

[Kwak]

Good defense and good pitching at least will keep you in games. Until a 30 HR guy that plays good defense comes along, Hicks will work.

 

Work? with what? He allows too many balls to drop in front of him to claim he is a "plus defender". And then there's his BAVG--ugh. From my perspective, this had better be a big turnaround season for Hicks or else it will be time to move him to another franchise. The Twins OF pipeline in the minors is loaded with prospects. These guys can't be held back to give extra chances for Hicks--he must produce or else he should be traded for whatever can be had.

[TheLeviathan]

I assume Rosario still plays 2B. Regardless, I think we are all going to be disappointed if we assume Buxton, Hicks, Rosario and Arcia will all be able to hit enough at the MLB level to create a logjam. In my opinion, after Buxton, Arcia is the most likely to be a dependable bat. There will likely be room for him in the OF simply because other prospects won't pan out.

 

You may be right that all four won't make it, but there is also Kepler in the system as well. Arcia showed, to me, a skill set that is best going to be adequate in the OF. And that's fine, if we end up having to play him there adequate or even below that isn't going to kill us.

 

However, he also projects the be the clear-cut fourth outfielder of the group defensively. As Doc said, DHing does take a different kind of mental approach. If it's something Arcia is going to be doing full time or even regularly - I'd like to see him start to get that going in the next two years. Keeping Willingham around just muddies the team's options.

[John Bonnes]

It's nice that he likes it here. If some guys fail to develop, that might make sense.

[johnnydakota]

It is interesting that so many think of Hicks' defense as elite. IMHO it wasn't even average last year. He displayed the tools to be very good, but he had a bunch of bad jumps and misplays, especially early in the season. On the Arcia discussion, if he fails to improve this year, then talk about him as only a bat. A lot of young players depend on their innate gifts in the minors and learn to be better (defenders) as major leaguers. I think that Arcia has the tools to be average or better, but he has to work at it.

 

Not being a sabr literate person , all I got is the ole Ryan eye test, he is better defensivly then Ham , Arcia, Kubel and any catcher we ran out there ,last season, and If we get the production i said , Arcia and Ham will have to put up big numbers to off set what Hicks brings defensivly...But he needs to hit or its moot.....To me we aint going to be printing world series tickets in 2014 , so lets finally find out what we got , contenders or pretenders....

[cmathewson]

Work? with what? He allows too many balls to drop in front of him to claim he is a "plus defender". And then there's his BAVG--ugh. From my perspective, this had better be a big turnaround season for Hicks or else it will be time to move him to another franchise. The Twins OF pipeline in the minors is loaded with prospects. These guys can't be held back to give extra chances for Hicks--he must produce or else he should be traded for whatever can be had.

 

When a lot of people think of Hicks, they remember his first 14 days, which were equally bad at the plate and in the field. After the turnaround, he was equally good at the plate and in the field. Which was not elite, but was as good or better than Ben Revere. That said, he has work to do. But you don't give up on the guy with the second best toolset in the organization because he started bad.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Yep, there is no reason to keep willingham around. Rosario in LF is the only way to go unless dozier falls flat on his face. Arcia has DH written all over him. And Buxton and Hicks will cover a ton of ground out there, and I love Hicks arm im RF.

 

Totally agree. Absolutely ZERO reasons to keep Willingham--no matter where he wants to finish his career. By 2015, Sano and Buxton will be up. Hopefully Hicks and Arcia can develop. That means Willingham has no spot. For that matter unless they do something this year--Plouffe (future RF/DH??) and Parmalee will not have spots either. Trade Willingham ASAP for what you can get. Maybe also Plouffe or Parms.

[cmathewson]

I agree with the posters who suggested the best case for Willingham: He mashes enough to raise his trade stock, whereupon we trade him at the end of July to make room for Sano, moving Plouffe tot he outfield in the process.

[TheLeviathan]

When a lot of people think of Hicks, they remember his first 14 days, which were equally bad at the plate and in the field. After the turnaround, he was equally good at the plate and in the field. Which was not elite, but was as good or better than Ben Revere. That said, he has work to do. But you don't give up on the guy with the second best toolset in the organization because he started bad.

 

I'm sorry, but Hicks was not as good or better than Revere in the field last year. I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion.

 

That's not dismissing his future, just stating plainly how underwhelming he was.

[dakotanative]

I cannot imagine the Twins extending him. It is all down hill from here given his age and recent injuries. There is always a need for that veteran bat off the bench, but that is a luxury a contending team enjoys. Besides if he is extended what prospect is being held back as a result?

[ashbury]

Update to the article from MLBTR:

 

Willingham himself confirmed his desire to remain with the Twins to Berardino today...Willingham went on to say that he "would never" approach a front office about an extension...

 

Correct. That is what agents are for.

[cmathewson]

I'm sorry, but Hicks was not as good or better than Revere in the field last year. I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion.

 

That's not dismissing his future, just stating plainly how underwhelming he was.

 

UZR was similar. Hicks had many more outfield assists.

[Halsey Hall]

Yesterday Gardy said he really like Hicks, couldn't send him down earlier because they had no one to replace him. Gene Glynn raved about Hicks and said he'll be a star. I tend to agree Hicks will be a good one for a long time.