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Who agrees that hicks is gonna cost the birds a lot of games this year. He has no command of his fastball and when he does he gets hammered all over the field. He was just a one year wonder like Carlos Martinez.
I don’t think two games in we know anything about Hicks we didn’t already know, good or bad.
Its the triple digits that is hard to give up on. Who doesn’t think 3rd rounder Prater, who just got released, would still be around if the threw 100.
Realistically, Hicks isn’t going anywhere. But one has to question his current role as a late inning reliever asked to hold a lead.
In spring training, he walked six and struck out six and was not dominating.
If we can package Hicks in a deal for a good starting pitcher, I’d take it. I’m not sure who would want him though. He’s not a starter and can’t hold a lead.
He’s a pitcher to bring in when we are losing to eat innings at this point.
At this point, it’s common sense that Hicks is a mop up guy until or unless his control improves. You can’t keep running a guy out there like that.
I think he’ll get better, maybe a lot BUT St Louis is not the place for him to ‘find’ himself.
If there is a way to let him spend a month in Memphis that would be far more preferable.
Hicks didn’t have a chance to learn how to use that triple digit arm, getting beamed straight up from A ball. Its like nobody knew MLB hitters can handle triple digits if that’s all there is to it. At this point, he’s as found as he is ever going to be. Any progress gets cut short by another injury and he starts back at square one. We know that’s what happens because its a book we’ve read before.
Gee folks, I’ve only said the very same thing about Hicks for how long now?
I agree, if he can’t be sent to Memphis and learn to throw strikes down there then he’s just a mop up pitcher in St. Louis. I always cringe when he enters the game. Same way I used to when Trevor Rosenthal would enter the game.
r/Esteemed Rat
Toss him in the bag of misfit toys to trade to Pitt for Reynolds. Some combo of Carlson, Yepez, Hicks, Dakota Hudson, Luken or Trent Baker, and the OF Gomez ought to be able to tempt them. Oviedo did fairly well after the deal last year so we should be on good terms. Clear out some roster space and upgrade.
Since Hicks can’t be sent to Memphis without his consent I think it is time for the Cardinals to find an injury. Considering his history it shouldn’t be that hard to find. He is too flammable even for a mop up role at this point.
Yesterday, Brad Thompson said because of all the movement on Hicks’ pitches, to avoid walks he should just start his sinker at the middle of the plate and let it run from there. Sounds good and simple, but how does he know Hicks isn’t already doing that? Does Thompson really think Hicks is trying to paint a corner on all those ball 3 counts that end up being a walk, lol?
After this many years, it might seem reasonable if you’re assuming Hicks’ disappointing trajectory is already well established, but you’d be discounting the inevitable Dusty Blake effect kicking in at some point this season.
Since Hicks can’t be sent to Memphis without his consent I think it is time for the Cardinals to find an injury.
Suppose a team and medical staff want to put a player on the IL, but player says no, I’m good to play. What are the dynamics with that and who gets final say? And is there a rebuttal or appeal process one way or the other?
Toss him in the bag of misfit toys to trade to Pitt for Reynolds. Some combo of Carlson, Yepez, Hicks, Dakota Hudson, Luken or Trent Baker, and the OF Gomez ought to be able to tempt them. Oviedo did fairly well after the deal last year so we should be on good terms. Clear out some roster space and upgrade.
Nice idea Mr. P but I don’t think any of those names are going to look very appealing to Pittsburgh. None of them have much trade value at this point.
Why oh why can’t they put him in a mop up role for a while? He either gets better or he doesn’t, and the club isn’t hurt in the meantime
Why oh why can’t they put him in a mop up role for a while?
Then what will Woody do once Waino comes back?
Why oh why can’t they put him in a mop up role for a while? He either gets better or he doesn’t, and the club isn’t hurt in the meantime
If by mop up you mean we are trailing 10-0 then fine. If we are leading 10-0 then I am not sure that is a big enough lead.
Hicks in the late innings is not ideal, but you hate to give up on a guy that has such a live arm. I recall years ago the Mets frustration with Nolan Ryan, and manager Gil Hodges saying something similar – that you want to give a guy like that every opportunity because if they can gain command, they can be one of the best in the game.
Personally I would have never groomed Hicks as a reliever. But at this point, I don’t know what you do. Think I would stretch him out in the minors and let him work without the pressure of having to be too fine.
Nice post, bikemike. Definitely food for thought. I think that if Hicks would agree to go down to the minors for as long as necessary, it could save his spiraling down career.
He’s not agreeing to a demotion and if he wasn’t being groomed to be a starter in the spring then he should expect to suddenly become one during the season. It’s clear the club doesn’t see him as one. So shut up and pitch!
It’s early on and he could change for the better but those first 2 outing weren’t great. If it continues he’ll be trading places with Chris Stratton.
That was a good situation to use Hicks last night, trailing by a bunch. Same result.
They need to figure out if it is mental or mechanics and execution.
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