Yankees Acquire Aaron Hicks

[Rob]

They gave up John Ryan Murphy, who I know pretty much nothing about.

 

I actually kinda like Hicks, despite the slow start to his career. He was pretty decent last year. It'll be interesting to see if he's just there to fill Chris Young's shoes, or if this is a prelude to a Gardner move.

[davell]

I could see Gardner as our CF.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't understand why the Yankees would trade Gardner. They have injury prone Ellsbury, old and injury prone Beltran, and older A-Rod at OF/DH

[sneakypower]

i do wonder if it makes them a less likely Heyward suitor (if they ever even were)

[Post Count Padder]

I could see Gardner as our CF.

Just throwing it out there, what would be a reasonable package for Gardner and Andrew Miller? Yanks are shopping him too for some reason.

[Clem Fandango]

I could see Gardner as our CF.

Just throwing it out there, what would be a reasonable package for Gardner and Andrew Miller? Yanks are shopping him too for some reason.

 

Gardner and Fowler were practically the same player this season. Fowler had more walks, but their OBP was only a 3 point difference. Gardner is making $13mm, $12mm, and $11mm over the next three season, with an $11.5mm option in 2019. He's also 2 years older than Fowler.

 

The FG consensus was Fowler will average $14mm AAV over 4 years. if that's accurate, the difference between him and Gardner is not all that significant. I'd be more interested in bringing Fowler back vs. trading assets for Gardner. Fowler only costs money. Ideally though, we just get Heyward.

 

Miller, on the other hand, I like. He's owed $9 million a year through 2018. He'll turn 31 next May. Due to age, and pretty high cost for a reliever, I'm not sure I'd give up MLB value for him, but I imagine the Yankees would probably line up well in a deal that includes Jeimer Candelario? I know they have Headley, but Headley is gonna be 32 next year and the defensive metrics were not kind to him, and his bat was not all that amazing either. Candelario probably won't be ready until mid-2017 anyways, and Headley is gone after 2018. Candelario could be of significant value for them. Not sure what else I'd add to the package. Edwards?

[Guest]

I've liked JR Murphy for a while, I think that's a smart pickup for the Twins. He's probably not a starter on a championship team, but he's a very good backup and more well rounded than your typical backup catchers in the Navarro or Baker mold.

 

As for Gardner, here's an interesting comparison. Steamer projections for next year:

 

A: .256/.331/.395, 18 SB, 2.3 fWAR, 32 years old

B: .278/.337/.392, 17 SB, 2.2 fWAR, 32 years old

 

One is Gardner, the other is Span. Gardner is signed for about 3/40(4th year 12.5M option w/ 2M buyout), Span's crowdsourced contract is almost identical.