Baseball Daily Dose: Offseason Dose: Hicks In NYC
Aaron Hicks finally started to cash in on some of his promise in 2015. Now, he’ll try to take another step forward for a new team.
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Hicks was dealt from the Twins to the Yankees on Wednesday. Catcher John Ryan Murphy will head to Minnesota in the deal.
Overall, Hicks batted a pedestrian .256/.323/.398 last season, but a 41-game stretch from early July to late August displayed what he’s capable of at the plate. Following his promotion on July 3, Hicks batted .281/.333/.477 with seven home runs before a left hamstring strain cost him 13 games. He failed to get back on track following the injury, but Hicks finished with 11 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 97 games played.
For the Twins, Murphy could eventually prove to be their everyday catcher. Kurt Suzuki struggled mightily at the plate last year, but Murphy hit .277/.327/.406 over 67 games in a part-time role with the Yankees in 2015. Murphy was a former second-round pick of the Yanks in the 2009 draft.
The move may not have been made in a vacuum, either. The Yankees lost Chris Young to free agency, but the team is also believed to have spoken with the Mariners regarding starting outfielder Brett Gardner. Hicks could potentially free up the team for such a move if they get the right package in return for the All-Star.
Pierzynski Staying Put
Another possible Twins catching target, A.J. Pierzynski, also found a 2016 home on Wednesday.
Pierzynski stayed put after a relatively successful 2015 season, re-signing with the Braves on a one-year deal. Immediate terms of the deal were not available.
Pierzynski enjoyed a bit of a renaissance with the Braves last year, batting .300/.339/.430 with nine home runs and 49 RBI. He ended up being one of the Braves’ best players, batting cleanup in 50 of his 113 games.
The veteran will turn 39 in December, and with young Christian Bethancourt in the organization Pierzynski will likely be counted on as a mentor as much as an offensive force.
Turner Has Microfracture Surgery
Justin Turner‘s recent knee surgery was a bit more serious than was let on originally.
Turner, who was believed to have had some loose bodies removed from his left knee last month, actually had microfracture surgery on the knee, it was revealed Wednesday.
Turner said he thinks the injury worsened during the playoffs, saying an MRI after the postseason “showed a bunch of different stuff.” He said a piece of cartilage had torn off on the outside part of the knee.
He’ll be on crutches for two to four weeks. Turner will be able to run at full strength in three months, and he said his readiness for spring isn’t in question.
“I’ll be 100% well before spring training,” he said.
Hot Stove Quick Hits: Stephen Strasburg underwent surgery to remove a lesion from his upper back last month, his agent Scott Boras said. The growth caused Strasburg discomfort while pitching, Boras said, likely contributing to some of Strasburg’s struggles this past season the Blue Jays and Marco Estrada have had discussions about a multi-year extension. Estrada was offered a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer, an offer he has until Friday to accept or decline … The Mariners were nearing an agreement with Chris Iannetta late Wednesday. Iannetta would likely be the team’s primary catcher after Mike Zunino failed spectacularly as the team’s starter this past season … After a strong comeback season in 2015, Franklin Gutierrez re-signed with the Mariners on a one-year contract. Gutierrez batted .292/.354/.620 with 15 home runs and 35 RBI in 171 at-bats … The Dodgers’ top two pitching targets this offseason are Zack Greinke and David Price in that order, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman … The Diamondbacks are among the teams expected to inquire about Andrew Miller, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Yankees are believed to be listening on the reigning American League Reliever of the Year … FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi reports the Royals are interested in a reunion with Joakim Soria. The Tigers, Red Sox and Rangers are also believed to be interested in the 31-year-old … Another reliever, Darren O’Day, has been a popular target in the early days of free agency. The Royals, Dodgers, Tigers, Nationals and Red Sox have also shown preliminary interest in O’Day … Ken Giles is also generating trade interest, but new Phillies general manager Matt Klentak isn’t dying to move him. “Ken Giles, if he’s here, can very easily be a part of our future, so I think we have to account for that in our thinking,” Klentak told Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com … Josh Hamilton underwent another procedure on his left knee two weeks ago. The good news, for Hamilton, is that he began full rehab this week and is expected to be healthy — as healthy as Josh Hamilton gets, at least — for spring training … The Reds and Diamondbacks have discussed a swap of veteran second basemen, with Brandon Phillips and Aaron Hill being talked about in rumors. The Reds have expressed interest in moving almost anyone this offseason as they attempt to get younger and more cost-controlled … Orioles prospect Dylan Bundy experienced another setback this week after he was shut down from the Arizona Fall League due to a muscle strain in his right forearm. The injury further cloud’s Bundy’s once-promising future … The O’s have been in touch with Jarrod Saltalamacchia as a potential replacement for Matt Wieters. Wieters is a free agent this winter … Fresh off an NLCS appearance, the Cubs aren’t content with their 2015 success. The team is said to be in on all the big free agent pitchers, namely David Price, Zack Greinke and Jordan Zimmermann. Any big-budget addition would go with last winter’s signing of Jon Lester and NL Cy Young finalist Jake Arrieta in what would be an incredibly impressive rotation.
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