Aaron Hicks, once a prominent figure in the Yankees’ roster, has found a new home with the Los Angeles Angels. However, while he dons a different uniform, the financial burden of his contract still rests heavily on the shoulders of the Yankees’ management.
Aaron Hicks joins a new club
Signing a Major League deal with the Angels, Hicks now receives the league minimum wage from Los Angeles. This arrangement is possible because the Yankees remain obligated to fulfill the remainder of Hicks’ hefty contract, initially a seven-year, $70 million extension that extends through 2025.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the financial breakdown reveals that while the Angels pay Hicks $740,000 for the year 2024, the Yankees are saddled with a much larger sum of $8.76 million. Furthermore, the Yankees will continue payments, owing Hicks $9.5 million in 2025 along with a $1 million buyout for the subsequent year.
Hicks’ tenure with the Yankees spanned eight years and was marred by injuries and unmet expectations, culminating in a departure marked by disappointment. Struggling with performance and facing the ire of disenchanted fans in the Bronx, Hicks’ batting statistics took a nosedive. By May, with a meager slash line of .188/.263/.261 across 28 games, the 34-year-old outfielder was designated for assignment.
Shortly after, the Orioles acquired Hicks, where his performance saw a notable uptick. Contributing to Baltimore’s success with a .275 batting average and an .806 OPS over 65 games, Hicks played a pivotal role in the team’s 101-win season and division title.
Now, Hicks embarks on a new chapter with the Angels, vying for playing time amidst a crowded outfield roster. The prospect of playing home games in close proximity to his roots in Long Beach, California adds a personal dimension to his journey with the Angels.
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