Aaron Hicks, the American professional baseball center fielder, has been a valuable player for the New York Yankees. He has contributed to the team’s success since joining the organization in 2016.
However, there has been speculation surrounding his future with the team, especially after an injury sidelined him during the 2021 season.
We will take a closer look at Aaron Hicks’ career with the Yankees, his injury and absence, trade rumors and speculations, and provide an update on his current status with the team.
Aaron Hicks’ Career With the New York Yankees
Aaron Hicks was traded to the New York Yankees from the Minnesota Twins in November 2015. He made his debut for the Yankees in 2016 and quickly established himself as a key player on the team.
Hicks played center field, and his excellent defense and powerful arm made him a valuable asset to the team.
Over the course of his career with the Yankees, Hicks has had some impressive statistics. In his first season with the team, he hit .217 with eight home runs and 31 RBI. In 2017, he improved his numbers, hitting .266 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI.
Hicks continued to improve in subsequent years, hitting .248 with 27 home runs and 79 RBI in 2018, and .235 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI in 2019.
Hicks has been an important contributor to the Yankees’ success over the years. His defense has been particularly notable, as he has consistently been among the top center fielders in the league in terms of defensive metrics. In addition, his strong arm has been a key asset in preventing opposing runners from advancing.
Offensively, Hicks has been a solid contributor, providing both power and speed to the Yankees’ lineup. He has shown the ability to hit for both average and power, and has also been a threat on the basepaths, stealing 27 bases over his career with the team.
Aaron Hicks has been an important part of the Yankees’ success since joining the team in 2016. His excellent defense, strong arm, and offensive contributions have made him a valuable player and an integral part of the team.
Injury and Absence
During the 2021 season, Aaron Hicks suffered a wrist injury that caused him to miss a significant amount of playing time.
The injury occurred in May, and he was placed on the 10-day injured list. However, after a few weeks of rest and rehab, he was placed back in the lineup in early June.
Unfortunately, Hicks’ wrist continued to bother him, and he was eventually placed on the 60-day injured list in August.
Hicks’ absence was felt by the Yankees, as he had been an important contributor to the team’s success up to that point in the season.
His strong defense in center field was missed, as was his presence in the lineup. Hicks had been hitting .194 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 32 games before his injury, and the team struggled to find a replacement who could provide similar production.
In addition to his on-field contributions, Hicks was also a veteran leader in the Yankees’ clubhouse. His absence left a void in the team’s leadership, and it was clear that his teammates missed having him around.
Overall, Aaron Hicks’ injury and absence had a negative impact on the Yankees’ performance. The team struggled to find a replacement who could match his production, and his leadership was missed both on and off the field.
Trade Rumors and Speculations
There have been some rumors and speculations surrounding Aaron Hicks’ future with the New York Yankees. While the team has not officially commented on his status, some reports suggest that they might be open to trading him.
One reason why the Yankees might consider trading Hicks is his contract. He is signed through the 2025 season, with a remaining guaranteed salary of $38 million.
Given his recent injury history and declining offensive production, the team might view him as an expensive liability.
By trading Hicks, they could free up some salary cap space and potentially acquire some young, talented players in return.
Another reason why the Yankees might consider trading Hicks is their depth in the outfield. The team has several young outfielders who have shown promise, including Clint Frazier, Estevan Florial, and Miguel Andujar.
With Hicks’ injury history and declining production, the team might view him as a player who is no longer essential to their success.
It’s important to note, however, that these are just rumors and speculations, and the Yankees have not made any official statements regarding Hicks’ future with the team.
It’s also worth considering that Hicks has been a valuable contributor to the team in the past, and it’s possible that he could bounce back from his recent struggles and return to form.
Ultimately, the decision to trade Hicks would depend on a variety of factors, including his health, production, and the team’s overall strategy and priorities.
Current Status
As of my knowledge cutoff on September 2021, Aaron Hicks was still on the New York Yankees roster. However, it’s important to note that the status of players can change at any time due to trades, injuries, or other factors.
Hicks had recently returned from a wrist injury that had kept him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.
He had struggled at the plate in the early part of the season, hitting just .194 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 32 games before his injury.
However, he had shown promise in the past and could still be an important contributor to the team if he can return to form.
It’s worth noting that the Yankees have a deep outfield, and Hicks could face competition for playing time from other talented players on the roster.
However, as of my knowledge cutoff, he was still a member of the team, and his status would be determined by his performance and the team’s overall strategy and priorities.
Here’s a Table Summarizing Aaron Hicks’ Career Statistics With the New York Yankees as of My Knowledge Cutoff in September 2021:
| Year | Games Played | At Bats | Runs | Hits | Home Runs | RBI | Batting Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 123 | 327 | 32 | 71 | 8 | 31 | .217 |
| 2017 | 88 | 301 | 54 | 77 | 15 | 52 | .266 |
| 2018 | 137 | 480 | 90 | 118 | 27 | 79 | .248 |
| 2019 | 59 | 221 | 41 | 56 | 12 | 36 | .235 |
| 2020 | 54 | 163 | 26 | 34 | 6 | 21 | .225 |
| 2021 | 32 | 124 | 18 | 24 | 4 | 14 | .194 |
As shown in the table, Hicks has had ups and downs during his career with the Yankees, but he has shown the ability to hit for power and play strong defense in the outfield. It’s important to note that these statistics only provide a snapshot of his performance, and his value to the team goes beyond just his stats.
FAQs
Has Aaron Hicks ever been traded before?
Yes, Aaron Hicks has been traded once before. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2008 and played for them from 2013-2015. However, in November 2015, he was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for catcher John Ryan Murphy.
Has Aaron Hicks won any awards or accolades during his career?
Aaron Hicks has not won any major awards during his career, but he has been a valuable contributor to the teams he has played for. He was named the Twins’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2012 and was a Gold Glove finalist in 2018 for his defensive skills in the outfield.
How has Aaron Hicks performed in the postseason?
Aaron Hicks has had limited opportunities to play in the postseason during his career, but he has performed well when given the chance. In 2017, he hit .290 with one home run and three RBI in eight games during the Yankees’ playoff run. In 2019, he hit .238 with two home runs and three RBI in nine games.
What position does Aaron Hicks play?
Aaron Hicks is primarily a center fielder, but he is also capable of playing both left and right field. His strong arm and excellent defensive skills make him a valuable asset in the outfield.
What is Aaron Hicks’ contract status with the Yankees?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Aaron Hicks was signed with the New York Yankees through the 2025 season, with a remaining guaranteed salary of $38 million. However, it’s important to note that his status could change at any time due to trades, injuries, or other factors.
Conclusion
Aaron Hicks has been an important player for the New York Yankees during his career with the team. He has contributed both on the field, with strong defensive skills and occasional offensive production, as well as off the field, serving as a veteran leader in the clubhouse.
Although there have been rumors and speculations surrounding Hicks’ future with the team, as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, he was still on the Yankees roster.
However, his status could change at any time, depending on his performance, health, and the team’s overall strategy and priorities.
Despite his recent struggles and injury concerns, Hicks has the potential to be a valuable contributor to the Yankees if he can return to form.
He has shown promise in the past, and with his contract running through the 2025 season, the team will likely give him opportunities to prove himself on the field.
Overall, Hicks’ future with the Yankees remains uncertain, but he has already left his mark on the team’s history and could continue to do so in the future.
