With the annual General Manager Meetings underway in Las Vegas, it’s a good time to look back at one of the Twins’ notable moves from the 2015 version of the event: the Nov. 11 trade that sent Aaron Hicks to the Yankees for catcher John Ryan Murphy.
At the time, Hicks was 26 and still carrying the weight of top-100 prospect expectations from MLB Pipeline. Minnesota had seen flashes, but not nearly enough consistency.
Over parts of three seasons with the Twins, he put up 2.5 fWAR and hit .225/.306/.349 across 247 games. His 2015 season was better than what came before it - 2.0 fWAR - but the bat still lagged behind, as shown by his 96 wRC+.
The move didn’t immediately change much for Hicks in New York. His first year with the Yankees was rough, with -0.5 fWAR and a 64 wRC+ in 123 games in 2016.
Then came the stretch that reminded everyone why he had once been such a coveted talent. In 2017, Hicks broke through with 2.6 fWAR, a .266/.372/.475 line, 15 home runs and 52 RBI in 88 games.
He followed that with an even bigger 2018, when he posted 4.1 fWAR, hit .248/.366/.467, and finished with 27 home runs and 79 RBI over 137 games.
Injuries then took a heavy toll. Hicks was limited to 59 games in 2019, and after a decent 2020 season, his production dropped off over the next four years.
The Yankees released him in 2023, and the Orioles gave him another look. He responded with an .806 OPS in 65 games.
Hicks then appeared in 18 games for the Angels in 2024 before officially retiring from Major League Baseball.
Minnesota didn’t get much from its side of the deal, either. Murphy played in only 26 games for the Twins in 2016.
The following July, Minnesota sent him to the Diamondbacks for Gabriel Moya, who logged seven appearances for the Twins in 2017 and 35 more in 2018 while posting a 4.64 ERA. Moya left the organization after the 2019 season.
Even with the injuries and the uneven path, Hicks carved out a solid big-league career. Across 12 seasons, he finished with 11.5 fWAR, 109 home runs, 392 RBI and 71 stolen bases in 981 games. Murphy’s career ended after the 2020 season, and he finished with 1.9 fWAR, 18 home runs and 61 RBI in 284 games with the Yankees, Twins, Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates.
In Other News...
Twins Face A Joe Ryan Decision Fans May Not Expect
Joe Ryans future has become one of those front-office questions that hangs over a contender even when the player in question is still very much part of the present. The right-hander remains under Minnesota control through the 2026 season, which gives the Twins time, but it also puts them on a clock if they decide the best way to maximize his value is to move him before he gets too close to free agency.
The idea is not without precedent, with Milwaukees decision to deal Freddy Peralta before his final contract year offering a template. Still, the market for pitchers with only one year of control can be tricky, and there is added uncertainty around the 2027 season that could make teams cautious about paying full freight. For the Twins, the question is not just whether Ryan is valuable enough to trade, but whether the timing and return will ever line up in a way that makes sense. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Outfield Battle Is Putting Veteran Roles In Real Danger
The Twins outfield picture for 2027 is already starting to take shape, and it does not leave much room for comfort among the veterans. Byron Buxton is still expected to anchor center field when healthy, but the club will likely continue managing his workload with time at designated hitter, which opens the door for younger options to claim more regular at-bats. Luke Keaschall and Spencer Jenkins are projected to be part of the corner-outfield mix, giving Minnesota a core that looks more flexible than settled.
Trevor Larnach and Austin Martin are the names most clearly caught in the middle of that shuffle. Larnachs role is no longer secure, and Martin appears headed for a platoon or bench assignment unless the roster picture changes again, which is exactly why the competition matters so much this winter. With several outfielders still fighting for playing time and the front office continuing to sort through the roster, the Twins are entering a stretch where every move could reshape who stays, who slides into a lesser role, and who gets squeezed out entirely. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Face One Catching Problem They Can't Ignore This Offseason
The Twins are heading into the offseason with a familiar roster question, and this one sits right behind the plate. Ryan Jeffers is in free agency after giving Minnesota stability at catcher, while Victor Caratinis uneven season only sharpened the need for a better long-term answer. For a team that has leaned on defense and game-calling in that spot, the priority is clear: find a catcher who can help now without blocking the future.
Minnesota also has to keep one eye on the pipeline, where Vahn Lackey is viewed as a prospect who could arrive in September 2027. That creates a tricky bridge to build, especially if the Twins want to avoid settling for a stopgap that leaves the position vulnerable again a year from now. The front office has some paths to explore, but the real challenge is finding a solution that holds up both this season and beyond. [Read more 🡒]