The Future of Yankees’ Outfield: Breaking Down Aaron Hicks’ DFA Move

Yankees DFA Aaron Hicks After Eight Years in New York

The New York Yankees have designated veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks for assignment, ushering an end to his eight-year stint with the team. The move cleared up a spot for Greg Allen, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox recently. Hicks, 33, has been struggling this season, hitting .188/.263/.261 with 47 OPS+ in 76 plate appearances. With a hefty contract of over $25 million remaining, CBS Sports has recently highlighted why the Yankees should consider cutting ties with him.

Yankees Among the Worst Performing Outfields in Baseball

Undoubtedly, the Yankees are among the worst-performing outfields this season. Hicks, Willie Calhoun, and Jake Bauers have been disappointing, but Hicks was initially expected to have a prominent role. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been up to the task, and his poor performance has brought his future with the Yankees into question. Though the team’s outfield has not been at full strength, the lack of performance from Hicks justifies his removal from the roster.

The End of the Road for Aaron Hicks in New York

Hicks and the Yankees‘ relationship had been deteriorating since late last season when he publicly expressed his frustration with his role despite poor play. Hicks hasn’t even approached league-average play since 2020, which further warrants his placement on the chopping block. There are no underlying indicators showing improvement in his game, and the Yankees are better off finding more productive minor league outfielders.

Advocating for the Future of the Yankees‘ Outfield

The Yankees are undoubtedly going through a rough patch this season. They’re dealing with a series of injuries, and the performance of several key players has been subpar. If they’re looking to turn things around, they must make significant changes to their outfield. While Hicks was an essential cog in their system not so long ago, his recent struggles have made him a liability.

The Red Sox-Yankees Trade: A Rare Occurrence

The recent trade between the Red Sox and the Yankees marks a rare occurrence. The two historic rivals have infrequently traded players since 1997. Hernandez, who was part of the trade, appeared in some games last season for the Yankees‘ Dominican Summer League affiliate. He posted a 2.10 ERA and a 3.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio in those games but was not ranked among the team’s top-30 prospects.

Conclusion

The Yankees need to find the right balance in their outfield to get their season back on track. Aaron Hicks’ recent struggles and his hefty contract leave the team with no other option than to cut ties with him. The Red Sox-Yankees trade serves as a rare exchange between the two teams, giving the Yankees some hope of finding new talent to improve their performances. All eyes will now be on the moves the Yankees make in the near future to strengthen their outfield.