orangevening

I think if you call him up it will be for a few innings here, a pitch hit there for a couple weeks in September. The Gibson/Albers treatment- a little easing in before getting serious

Yep, scary indeed. Hicks' confidence must have dropped so much that it overrode the need to have back up CF

My question now is who is the back-up CF? Hermann? Arcia? Scary if something happens to Clete mid-game or, god forbids, needs a day off.

I glad in a way that he was traded, mostly because he won't get ripped on by Twins "fans" anymore (or as much). I feel bad for the guy. Is a liability in the lineup? Of course. At the same time he is a great defensive catcher - his era catching is top stuff. He makes pitchers better. I'm he has worked his butt of trying to be a better hitter- but it hasn't worked out. You would think from the comments that Twins fan have given on Drew Butera, that he killed and ate all thier kids or something

Come on. Who thought a back up catcher would hit a grand slam or a light hitting SS would hit a 2 run HR the night before? There pitcher was struggling mighty, it was very feasible they would score a run or two.

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but why are both Vargas and Hicks with FM? Maybe I'm missing someone but I don't see a 1st basemen on NB blocking Vargas moving up.

I know there was talk of promoting Sano before his struggles in AA. Any chance that Rosario gets September call up?

Well stated. I tend to side with the apologist. A series of bad trades/signings and failed high draft picks esp., during the Bill Smith (although not all his fault of course) era doomed this club to where it is now IMO. Terry Ryan knows that you build a club through the farm system then fill in holes with free agency/trades when the time is right. Having one of the top farm systems in MLB we are on our way back and on the right track. 90 losses to 90 wins rarely happens in baseball.

If he was on the big league club Grady would call him "Grimy" of course

Hmmm..... any idea who goes down (or away) if he stays?

It always reminded me that TK could be pretty mean sometimes- I thought he was from Minnesota and there's a rule or something about being a mean

Wow! I know they liked him, but a September call up was what i was expecting

The Natural? Bull Durham?

That always cracks me up...

Most if not all major league hitters can hit a 97 mph fastball down the middle. What is more important IMO is command, movement and speed difference. A 85 mph fastball looks like a 90 mph fastball when you can throw a 70 mph change up. A 90 mph fastball with late movement on the outside corner on the knees is harder to hit than a 100 mph down the middle. Velocity is nice and can cover up mistakes, but not the most important.

I remember this trade well. My Mom was crushed- she had a huge crush on "Frankie" . I was enough in the know with baseball that we needed to make this trade

Who is the backup CF then? Parmalee?

Interesting. Skipping AAA completely or getting a few starts in there before September? He was on track that fast?

Unless Meyer kills it in Spring Training, probably won't see him on parent club until 2nd half 2014. This is my guesstimate though............

I remember West being the central piece of this trade. Watching him pitch he looked awkward. Almost side armed. High fastball, but no movement and not much else. My Mom had a huge crush on Frankie, and she was devastated too.....

Wow, didn't realize his tender was that high. My bad:o.

Yeah, thats is the last I heard. He was going to rehab in Fort Myers and that was holding up Buxton's promotion. Now even that is on hold (Ramirez)

CF backup is what is scareing me more. I shudder to think Parmalee/Escobar in CF. I see Hicks backup here with Thomas playing against right-handers. Haven't heard much Rameriez lately speaking of which....

I think think the bigger debate maybe what draft pick we might get if he walks. Letting Cuddyer walk was worth it at this point in time. Is it guaranteed we get 1st round comp. if we offer him tender and he declines? I think this is more likely than trade.

Lavelle E Neal freaking out that he is not in lineup today?!?