Former Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks isn’t limiting his post-baseball dreams to home runs; he’s eyeing a career on the PGA Tour. Hicks, known for his passion for golf showcased on social media and his marriage to Cheyenne Woods, Tiger’s niece, recently placed eighth on the celebrity leaderboard at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. This performance raises questions about whether the Yankees hindered Aaron Hicks’ golf aspirations during his time with the team.
Did the Yankees stop Aaron Hicks from playing golf?
Speculation, fueled by former MLB catcher A.J. Pierzynski, suggests that the Yankees discouraged Aaron Hicks from participating in golf events due to concerns about potential injuries. His departure from the Yankees in May 2023, after a tumultuous five-year tenure, has led to discussions about whether the team held him back.
“I don’t know if this is true or not, but Aaron Hicks used to play in this event a few years ago, and the Yankees told him he had to stop because they thought that’s why he was getting injured,” Pierzynski said on the “Foul Territory.” “I don’t know if that’s true or not, but there was a rumor about that they told him he had to stop playing golf.”
Remains teamless
Despite his exit from the Yankees, Aaron Hicks retains undeniable talent. Before his decline in New York, he posted a respectable .232/.337/.398 slash line with a 100 OPS+ and ranked 14th in major league walks since 2016. His plate discipline translated well during his stint with the Baltimore Orioles, where he finished the season strongly with a .275/.381/.425 slash over 236 plate appearances and an impressive 14.8% walk rate.
Aaron Hicks’ resurgence has piqued interest, positioning him as a potential bargain for teams in need of outfield depth. With the Yankees covering the majority of his $70 million contract, any new team would only need to pay the league minimum of $740,000, making him a low-risk, high-reward option.
While Aaron Hicks has faced past injuries and underwhelming performances in New York, his impactful late-season performance with the Orioles and budget-friendly contract make him an intriguing prospect. The question remains: will teams take a chance on this golf-loving slugger? Only time will reveal whether Aaron Hicks discovers a new playing field, be it on the baseball diamond or the fairway.
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