The Yankees introduced that veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks, whom they designated for project earlier this week, has now been launched.
Hicks is within the fifth season of a seven-year, $70MM contract that didn’t pan out practically in addition to the Yankees hoped. The previous first-round choose and high prospect hit .255/.368/.470 (128 wRC+) with 42 dwelling runs for the Yankees from 2017-18, and he gave them a decent .231/.350/.431 output within the 2019-20 seasons. Since that point, nevertheless, his offensive manufacturing has cratered as accidents have mounted. Hicks hit simply .188/.263/.261 in 76 plate appearances this season and is a .209/.315/.310 hitter in 655 plate appearances relationship again to 2021.
For all his struggles, Hicks has typically graded as a mean or higher left fielder lately. His once-excellent protection in heart area has light, however he posted a hefty 8 Defensive Runs Saved by simply 413 innings in left area as lately as 2022. The switch-hitter hasn’t had success no matter opponent in 2022-23, however Hicks had a good exhibiting towards lefties in 2021 and has a profession .247/.327/.415 batting line as a right-handed hitter dealing with lefties. He’s additionally walked in 12.5% of his 3352 Main League plate appearances, together with an above-average 9.2% stroll fee even within the midst of this yr’s freefall on the dish.
Hicks clearly isn’t the participant he was at his peak, however now that he’s been launched and the Yankees are going to be caught choosing up the tab, he’d make some sense for an outfield-needy membership — notably one in search of some assist towards left-handed pitching. Hicks is hardly a lock to rediscover any of his former manufacturing, but it surely received’t price one other workforce a lot to see if escaping the Yankee Stadium highlight and the fixed scrutiny surrounding his contract and diminished play will help him rebound to not less than some extent. He actually wouldn’t be the primary participant to rebuild some inventory after leaving the Yankees for a lower-pressure setting.
The Yankees stay on the hook for the remainder of this yr’s $10.5MM wage and also will owe Hicks a $9.5MM wage in every of the subsequent two seasons, plus a $1MM buyout on a 2026 membership choice. Any workforce that wishes to signal Hicks will solely owe him the prorated league minimal for any time spent on the massive league roster. That sum will likely be subtracted from the Yankees’ obligation to Hicks, however even when Hicks catches on with a brand new membership and sticks on the roster shifting ahead, the Yanks are caught with the overwhelming majority of that contract.
