Aaron Hicks (Update: Signed by the Orioles to replace Mullins)

[wildcard]

Hicks has lost a lot of speed.   Baseball Savant has him at the 48th percentile.   Vavra is faster at 72.    I don't see Hicks playing center.   That is probably McKenna/Vavra.

[wildcard]

12 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I think it is more likely that he's here until Mullins comes back instead of when Cowser is healthy.

Why?

[Just Regular]

I can only guess they want to pump him for NYY coaching details.    He has been going to the batters box unable to do anything other than try and coax a walk for like two solid years.

[Hazmat]

[eddie83]

11 minutes ago, deward said:

It's another example of Elias prioritizing giving a "tryout" to someone from outside the org instead the guys already here. Hicks is 33 and hasn't looked useful since 2020. Why would you not understand the frustration?

Who do you want to play? 
They aren’t going to guarantee a ton of at bats. He is fill in. 

[Tony-OH]

I'd be upset of Cowser was healthy and playing well. Hicks over Cameron? Fine. Mckenna can't hit righties so Hicks over McKenna against righties? Fine.

Now once Cowser is showing that he's healthy again and playing well, then I think it's time for pitchfoks if Hicks is still the everyday CF against right-handers.

I'll be honest though. I'd give Westburg some looks if CF. He runs well enough for now to cover some ground assuming he can get used to the outfield. I've been surprised by his lack of playing 1B and OF this year. Those are positions where his bat could play and where their could be a need.

[Fiver6565]

worse signing - Hicks, for Brett Phillips last year?  At least Phillips could run.

[Fiver6565]

1 minute ago, Tony-OH said:

I'd be upset of Cowser was healthy and playing well. Hicks over Cameron? Fine. Mckenna can't hit righties so Hicks over McKenna against righties? Fine.

Now once Cowser is showing that he's healthy again and playing well, then I think it's time for pitchfoks if Hicks is still the everyday CF against right-handers.

I'll be honest though. I'd give Westburg some looks if CF. He runs well enough for now to cover some ground assuming he can get used to the outfield. I've been surprised by his lack of playing 1B and OF this year. Those are positions where his bat could play and where their could be a need.

i'm starting to lose understanding of what Elias is doing w/ the two you've mentioned.  I mean OK Cowser is banged up I get that of course, but Westburg is better than 4-5 guys on this team right now probably (at least 2-3).  Trying to be patient but signing Hicks is a test of that to be certain.

When your choices are McKenna or Hicks for playing time, you're doing it wrong....

[Fiver6565]

5 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Hicks has lost a lot of speed.   Baseball Savant has him at the 48th percentile.   Vavra is faster at 72.    I don't see Hicks playing center.   That is probably McKenna/Vavra.

If he can't play center (and I agree he can't) then I don't want to see him in LF either, not in Camden Yards at least.

[Can_of_corn]

4 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Why?

Why did Adley get sent to the minors when his rehab was done last year?

If Elias wanted him up he would have been up before Mullins got injured.  I don't think Mullins being out changes Elias' timetable.

[sportsfan8703]

At worst it’s a short term depth move until Cowser or Mullins are back. No sense rushing Cowser up off an injury. That’s not how you want guys making their debuts. 
 

Also, we’re pretty thin on CF depth with Mullins, Cowser, and Haskin, all currently hurt. This keeps are depth too with Cameron. No point in calling him up for a week just to DFA him. He’s only 26. Maybe there is something there. 
 

I will say this… sometimes a guy just needs a fresh start. This could be a low key pressure spot for Hicks to come in and prove he’s still got it. These guys have pride. He just doesn’t want to walk away at 36 and count his millions. 
 

Even the 2014 team had Michael Bourn. Heck, he started a playoff game. 

[Can_of_corn]

7 minutes ago, Fiver6565 said:

I am loathe to criticize roster moves but this one has even me scratching my head.  How is it possible that this guy is better than even Daz Cameron?  Cameron is 26 years old - at least there's a small chance he has something to contribute.  Hicks is a washed up loser.  I'm not even sure I can watch a game w/ this clown in the lineup.  Just terrible.

 

This way Elias gets a warm body to backup McKenna and gets to keep his depth piece in the minors.

[Orioles0615]

6 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Why?

Because Elias will jump though hoops in order to not promote prospects

[emmett16]

Y'all are hilarious.  Who cares.  Did you really think they weren't going to bring in a cheap CF option?  This move tells me they like something about Daz and want to keep him in system and keep working with him.  There isn't anyone else in the system that can play CF consistently.  McKenna & Hicks will platoon in CF for a week or two.  Woopty doo.  It's May.  

[Fiver6565]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

This way Elias gets a warm body to backup McKenna and gets to keep his depth piece in the minors.

Sure, and I'm guessing that's a tongue-in-cheek comment, but what is depth in the minors for, if its not to replace injured players?  What's the point?  I refuse to believe that Elias just wants to have a AAA team with a really good record but the evidence kind of supports that theory LOL.