Trade Hillenbrand? [merged threads]

[soxfan121]

Earlier this week, BP published the following article: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ne...003daily.shtml

In another thread, there was a brief discussion of Hillenbrand's progress (a discussion which was off-topic there - hence the new venue.) That thread is here: http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/...8992#post88992

Certainly Shea Hillenbrand improved this season at the plate. VNV and hmrsf make good statistical arguments in the above thread. However, I believe the question more to be - has he improved enough to be considered a long-term option? BP's take is very interesting; however, BP has had a negative opinion of Hillenbrand and his performance since early last season. The "walk war" between he and Soriano became a favorite topic of discussion last season. And in today's baseball culture, the WALK is almighty. This is the tail end of a major shift in baseball philosophy. Mickey Mantle was derided by some for walking so much - Barry Bonds has become the most dominant player in the game because of his ability to work the base-on-balls. Hillenbrand, more so than the much-higher regarded Soriano, is now bearing the brunt of this cultural shift, as he is criticized by BP, Boston media, and fans like me.

So three questions, two specific, one broad:
1. Has Hillenbrand improved enough to be considered a good 'long-term' investment by the Red Sox?
2. If not, do you trade him this offseason?
3. Have players like Hillenbrand been negatively (and possibly unfairly) affected by the 'walk revolution' - and what does that mean for those players?