What It Means:

For the Twins, this clears up their logjam of outfielders and helps them address a need behind the plate. In 479 plate appearances last year, Kurt Suzuki, Minnesota's starting catcher, posted a miserable .269 wOBA. Murphy had a .319 wOBA in 172 plate appearances in New York last season. Before being called up, Murphy owned a .309 wOBA in 196 plate appearances in Triple-A in 2014.

Hicks, once a heralded switch-hitting prospect, had the best season of his career in 2014. The 26-year-old recorded a .314 wOBA with 11 homers, both of which were career-best marks. The Yankees like to employ platoon players, and Hicks certainly fits the mold. Against right-handed pitchers last season, he posted a .375 wOBA compared to a .292 wOBA against southpaws.