Aaron Hicks, coming off his best year as a pro, already had big plans for this past offseason.
He went home to Long Beach, Calif., hired a personal trainer to add strength and visited with Hall of Famer Rod Carew to work on his swing.
"I'm just trying to make it to the next level and elevate my game," Hicks said.
Then the Twins traded Denard Span and Ben Revere in a span of eight days starting in late November. Suddenly, there was an opening for Hicks on the big league roster.
"I was friends with those guys, and I was sad to see them go," Hicks said, "but there's an opportunity to win a job."
Hicks, 23, will be the Twins' Opening Day center fielder. His strong spring included a huge game March 7 during which he clubbed three home runs.
Proceed directly to the majors, sir.
Hicks, the Twins' first-round draft pick in 2008, has been touted for years as the total package — a 6-2, 190-pounder who has speed, arm strength, defensive instincts, hitting ability and power. The question has always been how soon Hicks would reach the majors.