The Diamondbacks’ top affiliate announced recently that the organization has added catcher John Hicks on a minor-league deal. He’ll participated in the MLB side of camp this spring.
Hicks was non-tendered by the Tigers, who preferred not to pay a projected $1.7MM salary. The 30-year-old is coming off of his worst showing in the majors. In addition to carrying an ugly .210/.240/.379 batting line over 333 plate appearances, Hicks did not fare well in the framing department.
There’s reason to think that Hicks can rebound to some extent from that effort. He was close to a league-average offensive performer over the prior two seasons, slashing .262/.317/.416 in 502 cumulative plate appearances. And he had previously received roughly average marks in framing, blocking, and controlling the running game.
It’s a good spot for Hicks to land. The Snakes have quite often carried three catchers since GM Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo rolled into town. That’ll be easier than ever with a 26th roster spot to work with. Carson Kelly and Stephen Vogt are the clear top two options, with youngster Daulton Varsho coming quickly. But there’s a path for Hicks to crack the MLB roster out of camp or at least to serve as a top depth option.
didnt they move Varsho to CF, or did they stop that experiment?
Last I heard he was simply getting time in CF to expand his versatility. I think he’s more valuable as a C so he’ll likely get most of his time there.
I’m shocked that Hicks didn’t get more interest or a better opportunity. Teams like Cincy and my Halos could have used the depth
The versatility is an approach to play him at several positions so they can keep his bat in the lineup. Apart from his framing that is, iirc, not one of his best skills, in Kelly they have their every day C. So shifting Varsho to the outfield would be the way to play him everyday and use his speed on bases instead of sharing the C workload with Kelly, that could also affect his batting. Not to say he won’t play C, if Kelly for whatever reason completely falls apart the coming seasons Varsho could easily become the every day C.
As far as carrying 3 catchers for the D-backs…I don’t see it happening no more unless Kelly goes bust.
Once robot umps come in what will that do to the media initiated framing garbage? Over rated I say
Robots can’t be trusted, but they are mainly just a danger to your wallet. Dirty pickpockets, I tell ya. I learned all about it from a cartoon documentary called Futurama.
Maybe I’m just old, but I remember Bob Boone and Carlton Fisk setting their mitts on the outside edge of the strike zone to frame a pitch…catchers today just yank everything back in the strike zone, like the umpires can’t tell they did that …go ahead and insert bad eyesight umpire jokes here…
Umps used to stretch the zone east-west back in the day. Players and media lose their minds when umpires give an inch off the plate. Fans are in for a rude awakening if they get machines to call the strike zone.
Maybe last year was just a Hicks up in his performance. It figures someone would ax him.
Some catchers only have value in February.
Correct
5:53 AM? I was on my stationary bike with my bass trying to figure out the Jaco Pastorius song Havona. It’s too early for baseball. Jeff must have had trouble sleeping. Mlbtraderumors 24 – 7. I come here way too much but it’s kind of suspiciously intoxicating.
Getting out of Detroit has helped virtuously every player. The emphasis on non baseball related issues precludes necessary focus.. Good luck John
Tigers can’t pay a player 1.7 mil? How cheap can they be
Because he sucks
What exactly did Hicks do to earn $1.7 million? He’s lucky anyone is even willing to give him minor league deal.
he isnt worth 1.7 million.
DET gave him 3 seasons to prove himself, and he regressed each year.
He’s awful
Hicks was let go by the Twins and Detroit snatched him up like they did many off of the aaaa heap. Hicks is an ok back-up and can play some 1B. Not sure he is good enough to a rotation player on a true contender. I’ve been a Tigers fan for many years. Imho this is an ok signing as potential depth but it’s doubtful he has a positive impact
Hicks was let go by the Twins and Detroit snatched him up like they did many off of the aaaa heap. Hicks is an ok back-up and can play some 1B. Not sure he is good enough to a rotation player on a true contender. I’ve been a Tigers fan for many years. Imho this is an ok signing as potential depth but it’s doubtful he has a positive impact
Sounds like we should have kept Swihart.