Aaron Hicks is voicing his frustration with his role in the outfield. Where do Hicks and the New York Yankees go from here?
In 2019, Aaron Hicks signed a seven-year, $70 million contract to be the New York Yankees‘ long-term center fielder. And it has not gone according to plan.
Since signing the contract, he has averaged between .194 and .235. He hit 12 home runs in 2019 and has not hit more than eight since. He’s played in only 276 combined games in the last four seasons and is coming off a season in which he hit a mere .216/.330/.313 with eight home runs and 40 RBI.
Hicks, 33, entered spring training competing to be the Yankees’ starting left fielder. He was promised nothing, especially after being replaced late in 2022 by Oswaldo Cabrera, who had been a career infielder up until that point. Hicks took as many reps as anyone in left field during spring training, according to The Athletic, but Cabrera has started all three games in left field to begin the 2023 season.
Hicks voiced his frustration to The Athletic, saying, “I have no idea what my role is. It’s kind of uncertain. … I just want to play. I don’t want to come off the bench and face closers all day. I want to play the field. I want to play everyday, and it’s just what I want to do. I want to start. I really don’t know what else to say.”
What should the Yankees do with Aaron Hicks?
Hicks seems like an obvious candidate to benefit from a change of scenery. But it’s complicated.
Look no further than his contract — he has three years, $29.5 million with a $12.5 million club option for 2025 remaining — and it’s difficult to imagine any team will take on that contract. It is possible that the Yankees could eat a bulk of Hicks’ remaining salary to facilitate a trade, but even that scenario feels unlikely.
Right now, the most likely option is that the Yankees hold onto Hicks. They have too much invested in him and clearly believe he has the ability to bounce back, evidenced by their lack of outfield additions this winter. But if Hicks continues to voice his frustrations, perhaps that could spark the Yankees to move on from their longtime outfielder. It just feels like we are a long way away from that point.
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