Minnesota Sports Forum

JasonIsDaMan wrote:The Twins were 13th in Catcher OPS (.704). Congrats to LAA and CWS for somehow managing to be worse than Suzuki and the Rochester gang.

This guy was .734. If he can duplicate that in MIN, it's a great deal.

"Suzuki and the Rochester gang" sounds like an interesting band with some good wind instruments thrown in to make things interesting. When are the playing next? Oh you say they broke up? Ah man that sucks.

longstrangetrip wrote:If this guy lives up to his potential, it may be an ok deal...but on first glance, I don't like it. His hitting stats are unremarkable, except for his strike outs...he strikes out more than once in every four ABs. Msybe acceptable if he were a power hitter, but he's not...only 4 career HRs in 270 ABs. And even though the article says he threw out 37% of base stealers last year, it was actually 27% (17% the year before). I get that we have a log jam in the OF if Buxton and the Korean pan out, but I don't see this guy as an upgrade over Suzuki. Let's hope he starts playing like a second round pick (although I think it's more likely that Hicks will start playing like the first round pick that he was). I love Terry Ryan, but he must see something in this kid that he hasn't shown in the majors yet.

I agree with yah after thinking it over I hate the trade but I hope the kid proves me wrong. He's supposed to be a really good framer of pitches which we know how bad Kurt is statistically so that's a plus. Hop gully we just got us a Fransico Cervellie 2.0. Just thinks could've traded hicks for cliff lee in that 2009 run :(

jester1534 wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:If this guy lives up to his potential, it may be an ok deal...but on first glance, I don't like it. His hitting stats are unremarkable, except for his strike outs...he strikes out more than once in every four ABs. Msybe acceptable if he were a power hitter, but he's not...only 4 career HRs in 270 ABs. And even though the article says he threw out 37% of base stealers last year, it was actually 27% (17% the year before). I get that we have a log jam in the OF if Buxton and the Korean pan out, but I don't see this guy as an upgrade over Suzuki. Let's hope he starts playing like a second round pick (although I think it's more likely that Hicks will start playing like the first round pick that he was). I love Terry Ryan, but he must see something in this kid that he hasn't shown in the majors yet.

I agree with yah after thinking it over I hate the trade but I hope the kid proves me wrong. He's supposed to be a really good framer of pitches which we know how bad Kurt is statistically so that's a plus. Hop gully we just got us a Fransico Cervellie 2.0. Just thinks could've traded hicks for cliff lee in that 2009 run :(

I think ai have made it clear I have been a Hicks supporter I thought he had a few signs along the way of still having a chance to break though. Having said that it seems like there is some homer overvaluing of Hicks while dismissing Murphy that I don't understand. Why?

LST talked about Murphy's lack of power. Hicks has 56 total extra base hits in 819 career MLB ABs. In 262 career MLB ABs Murphy has 19. That's just one example.

Hicks has been handed CF job on a platter in one way or another and has had a hard one beating out 5th outfielder types. Let's remind outer selves season ago he was a mess looked lost at the plate gave up switch hitting had mental issues in the field and was called out for not preparing. He had a nice enough season this last year but it wasn't exactly magical.

Contrast that to Murphy who has been blocked by plenty of catching depth and the Yankees have another guy coming up. Gary Tuck a guy that seems to know a thing or 2 about catchers raved about him less than a year ago.

http://riveraveblues.com/2015/01/upcoming-apprenticeship-john-ryan-murphy-112707/

Let's call this what it is one organization dealing from a position of strength in depth to another. Maybe Murphy doesn't turn out to be any good but it's far from a sure thing Hicks will be something significant either. I would much rather take a shot at a young catcher with some legit promise than hold onto a young OFer that may not be needed a few months from now.

I think Hicks has more upside and therefore am not to excited about the move, but when you are loaded with OF's and need a C you can make deals like this.

I'm good with this move. One of Rosario or Hicks were sure to be moved this off-season, and one of those two just put up a pretty good rookie season and he's 22-years old. I think Murphy has right around the same value as Hicks, especially when you factor in importance of position.

What I am concerned with is giving Murphy the catching job from day one. I don't know that's a great idea and I still want the Twins to make a push for Wieters in free agency.

Either way, this isn't a back-breaking deal for either organization. I still hope the Twins acquire a frontline starter.

OK, you guys have turned me around...could be a deal that is good for both teams. Monster, thanks for the link with the assessment of our new catcher from his bullpen coach...makes him sound like a future HOFer!

Trading Hicks signals that the Twins are ready to give Buxton center field and the lead-off spot. The lineup looks really good.

Buxton
Mauer
Sano
Park
Rosario
Plouffe
Dozier
Murphy
Escobar

Speed and power

Mauer always got high praise for how he called the game for his SP's, so hopefully he is in Murphy's ear often and can help improve him in that regard.

Camden0916 wrote:I'm good with this move. One of Rosario or Hicks were sure to be moved this off-season, and one of those two just put up a pretty good rookie season and he's 22-years old. I think Murphy has right around the same value as Hicks, especially when you factor in importance of position.

What I am concerned with is giving Murphy the catching job from day one. I don't know that's a great idea and I still want the Twins to make a push for Wieters in free agency.

Either way, this isn't a back-breaking deal for either organization. I still hope the Twins acquire a frontline starter.

I know you have a low opinion of Suzuki but with this move he likely isn't going anywhere. If Murphy can be good enough to even split 50/50 that would be decent and obviously a vast improvement over last year. It might help Kurt be a little more productive with the bat too playing less. I am not expecting miracles but Kurt had a down year for him especially his extra base hits so he might inch up a bit from what he was last year. Kurt ain't a bad guy to learn from when it comes to the duties of catching either. I know he isn't amazing at anything (except being a tough SOB) but I think there is a reason teams have always had a certain amount of interest in him even if it's for a backup. If Murphy is good out of the gate let him have the job Suzuki is a nice enough security blanket as a vet backup.

Wieters scares me with his injury history. From my viewpoint it seems kinda pointless to trade for Murphy and sign that guy for him to sit behind as a backup for a couple years but I know where you are coming from Cam.