Aaron Hicks makes a tearful exit; Is the Yankees’ move unprecedented in MLB?

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On Saturday, the Yankees made the decision to designate Aaron Hicks for assignment, as officially announced by the team. This move was not unexpected and came as no surprise. Above all, it is not unprecedented in the majors.

Aaron Hicks, age 33, became a part of the Yankees organization in 2016 following a trade with the Twins. Despite having three years and an approximate value of $30 million remaining on his contract in New York, His role within the team had always been uncertain due to his underwhelming performance. With Hicks’ performance, he had turned to be the No. 1 “enemy” of Yankees fans.

The Yankees made the decision to part ways with Aaron Hicks, who had faced difficulties since the 2021 season, in order to create space on the active roster for newly acquired outfielder Greg Allen, obtained from the Red Sox on Friday evening.

Aaron Hicks’ teary goodbye

It had been evident for a while that the likelihood of Aaron Hicks completing the remaining three years and nearly $30 million on his contract with the Yankees was slim. However, the official confirmation arrived on Saturday.

The Yankees made the decision to designate Aaron Hicks for assignment, choosing to absorb the financial commitment and part ways with the veteran outfielder. Hicks, who held the distinction of being the team’s longest-tenured position player, saw his tenure with the Yankees come to an end before the completion of their 48th game of the season.

Expressing his emotions, Aaron Hicks, his eyes filled with tears, reflected on the situation with a mix of devastation and disbelief, as reported by Greg Joyce of the New York Post. After receiving supportive hugs from his teammates, he acknowledged that such circumstances are an inherent part of the business aspect of the sport. Despite the difficult circumstances, Aaron Hicks recognized the need to turn the page and embrace the upcoming chapter of his career.

Reflecting on the situation, Aaron Hicks shared his perspective on the team dynamics, acknowledging that the Yankees possess a highly talented roster. While recognizing his own struggles and the ultimate decision made by the team, he expressed the sentiment that perhaps a different environment or team could offer a more favorable fit for his skills and contributions.

Aaron Hicks had openly expressed his dissatisfaction with his role, dating back to the latter part of the previous season. As his performance declined, he transitioned from being an everyday player to a part-time outfielder. Recognizing that Allen has a proven track record of excelling in a bench role throughout his career, the Yankees believe that he is better suited to fulfill that position for the team.

Boone explained the situation

During the pre-game press conference before the Yankees’ 7-4, 10-inning victory over the Reds, Manager Aaron Boone addressed Aaron Hicks’ situation and acknowledged the challenges associated with the role he was assigned. Boone expressed that it was a demanding position for Aaron Hicks to assume and flourish in, highlighting the potential impact it had on the outcome of the decision.

Boone mentioned that Aaron Hicks had conveyed his frustration to him over the course of several months and even the past year, albeit in various ways.

Boone acknowledged that despite Aaron Hicks expressing his frustration, he conducted himself in a professional manner throughout the process.

When Boone informed Aaron Hicks of the decision to part ways with him, their conversation took on a “somber” tone, reflecting the seriousness and emotional weight of the situation.

As Boone reflected on the private conversation he had with Aaron Hicks, he described the atmosphere in the room as “eerie,” characterized by a profound and almost unsettling silence. Boone attributed this atmosphere to the fact that Aaron Hicks had been a prominent figure within the team and had made significant contributions during his tenure with the organization.

Aaron Hicks is anticipated to be released rather than being claimed by another team during the waiver period, marking the end of his tenure with the Yankees. Since joining the team in a trade with the Twins before the 2016 season, the 33-year-old outfielder has had productive seasons in 2017 and 2018. However, his performance declined after signing a seven-year, $70 million extension before the 2019 season, with injuries further impacting his output on the field.

Following Tommy John surgery in October 2019, Aaron Hicks experienced additional setbacks when he underwent surgery for a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist in May 2021, causing him to miss the remainder of that season.

The decline

During his last three seasons with the Yankees, Aaron Hicks’ performance declined significantly, hitting .209 with a .625 OPS across 190 games. Alongside his offensive struggles, there was a noticeable drop in his defensive prowess, which coincided with his transition from center field to left field.

Starting from the latter part of last season, Aaron Hicks had been subjected to criticism and displeasure from Yankee Stadium fans. As his performance slumped further, the chorus of boos intensified following his at-bats.

This season, Aaron Hicks struggled, hitting .188 with a .524 OPS in 28 games. Despite demonstrating some improvement over the past ten days, where he recorded a .353 batting average (6-for-17) and a 1.097 OPS, it proved insufficient to salvage his time with the Yankees.

Aaron Judge expressed his sentiments regarding Aaron Hicks’ departure, acknowledging the impact he had on the team and organization. Judge conveyed his good wishes to Hicks, emphasizing the significance of his contributions. While finding the news difficult to process, Judge expressed excitement for Aaron Hicks to embark on a new journey and continue his career elsewhere.

Is it a surprise?

It became increasingly evident that the conclusion of Aaron Hicks’ tenure with the Yankees was inevitable when he was not named the starting left fielder at the beginning of the season. Over the past few years, Aaron Hicks has faced various injuries that have severely impacted his offensive performance. In the previous season, he openly contemplated whether a fresh start with another team would be more beneficial for his career.

However, the Yankees remained supportive and expressed confidence in his ability to rebound. Nevertheless, after his first 28 games this season, it became clear that Aaron Hicks could not provide the offensive consistency the Yankees needed. Currently, his wRC+ stands at 49, indicating that he is performing 51 percent worse than the average MLB hitter. With their aspirations of a World Series title, the Yankees could not rely on Aaron Hicks for their postseason plans.

Is this unprecedented?

It is uncommon for the Yankees to designate players for assignment when they still have significant financial obligations. In the past, they have made similar moves with players like Jacoby Ellsbury in 2019, who had over $26 million remaining on his contract, and Alex Rodriguez in 2016, who was owed $27 million. Both players had struggled with injuries and performance issues. However, the decision to release Aaron Hicks, who has been healthy and accessible throughout the season, comes as somewhat of a surprise, despite his lack of production justifying such a move.

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