It is bittersweet for the New York Yankees. Outfielder Aaron Hicks (34), who was released by paying the remaining annual salary of 27.6 million dollars (approximately 36 billion won) until 2025, is showing signs of surviving by going to the Baltimore Orioles, a competitor team in the same district.
Hicks started as a center fielder in the 5th batter in an away game against the San Francisco Giants on the 5th (hereinafter Korean time), and played an active role with 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 walk and 3 bases in 4 at-bats, including 1 RBI, 3 bases in the 9th inning, Baltimore’s 8-3 contributed to the victory.메이저놀이터
After moving to Baltimore from the 1st, in 4 games, he is wielding a batting average of 45% (5 hits in 11 at-bats), 1 RBI, 3 walks, 1 strikeout, and an OPS of 1.208. He was on base in all four games, and also had two hits and multi-hits in two games. Although there are not many samples, it is an unbelievable reversal considering Hicks’ performance before.
Hicks was released from the New York Yankees on the 27th of last month. Prior to his release, he was sluggish with a batting average of 108.8 (13 hits in 76 at-bats), 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and .624 OPS in 28 games with the Yankees. On the 20th of last month, when the slump that started in 2021 continued for the third year, the Yankees processed Hicks for transfer (DFA).
As expected, the team they wanted did not come out during the waiver period, and the Yankees dismissed Hicks completely. Of this year’s annual salary of $10.5 million, the remaining $7.62 million, $9.5 million in annual salary from 2024 to 2025, and $1 million in the buyout if the team option is not executed in 2026, about $27.6 million (about 36 billion won) is blown into the air. Emitted.
Switch hitter center fielder Hicks made his debut in Minnesota in 2014, was traded to the Yankees in 2016, and has been a starting pitcher since 2017. He hit a personal record of 27 home runs in 2018 and performed with an OPS of .833, and in February 2019, he also signed a 7-year, $70 million extension with the Yankees.
However, starting in the first year of his contract, he was limited to 59 appearances due to back and elbow injuries. In 2021, he underwent left ankle surgery in mid-May and was out of the season after 32 games. Even last year, when there was no injury, he posted an atrocious performance with a batting average of 2.16, 8 home runs, and an OPS of .642 in 130 games. He was degraded to the Yankees’ ruse, and the furious New York media and fans lashed out at Hicks.
[Pictured] Aaron Hicks with the New York Yankees. ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
[Pictured] Aaron Hicks with the New York Yankees. ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
This year, Hicks, who was deprived of his starting position from the start, expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “I don’t know what my role is.” Although he failed to rebound during the opening two months and was released, Baltimore, the Eastern Division of the American League (AL), like the Yankees, reached out a helping hand. Baltimore, whose starting center fielder Cedric Mullins suffered a right groin injury, brought Hicks as a substitute for an amount proportional to the number of days left in the minimum annual salary ($720,000).
Baltimore general manager Mike Elias said, “There are things we look at from a scouting and evaluation standpoint, which is very different from the record. Hicks has parts that we like and think will help the team. I hope it will be a good opportunity for Hicks as well.”
After receiving the DFA notification last month, Hicks, who shared hugs with his colleagues and blushed, said, “It can’t be helped. It’s part of the business. Now we have to move on to the next chapter. The Yankees are a really good team, but they didn’t fit me well.” As he moved to Baltimore, the same district, Hicks could become a boomerang to the Yankees.
Until the 5th, Baltimore is 37-22, 2 games ahead of the Yankees (36-25), 2nd in the AL Eastern Division, and is running 1st in the wild card. The two teams are scheduled to play four consecutive matches in New York on the 4th to 7th of next month, and three in Baltimo on the 29th to 31st of next month.