What happened to the Yankees’ released players in 2023?

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The New York Yankees‘ 2023 season was far from ideal, with several notable player transfers taking center stage. One such transfer was the departure of Aaron Hicks to the Baltimore Orioles, which appears to have been a significant career move for these baseball players.

Aaron Hicks

Currently team: Baltimore Orioles
Left Yankees: May 26, 2026
Stats with Yankees: PA: 2174, TB: 691, XBH: 128, HBP: 10, SAC: 14, SF: 21, BABIP: .265, GIDP: 35, GIDPO: 369, NP: 9487, P/PA: 4.360, ROE: 18, LOB: 650, WO: 1.
Stats after Yankees: 233 PA, 85 TB, 15 XBH, 0 HBP, 0 SAC, 1 SF, .336 BABIP, 3 GIDP, 22 GIDPO, 1035 NP, 4.442 P/PA, 82 LOB.

Aaron Hicks left the Yankees more than four months ago, after having played sparingly during the season. His time in New York had been marked by injuries and poor performance, leading to the disappointment of Yankees fans. Upon returning to Yankee Stadium, Hicks faced a chorus of boos. However, in a twist of fate, Hicks has become one of the best hitters in MLB since joining Baltimore on May 26. His 138 wCR+ ranks him as the 39th-best baseball hitter since that date. Ironically, Yankees fans had lamented their hitters’ inefficiency, which led to his departure. When Hicks was released, the Yankees were still responsible for about $27 million over the next three years from his seven-year, $70 million extension signed in February 2019. Back then, Hicks had the same expectations as the Yankees, aiming to replicate his 2018 performance when he hit 27 home runs in 137 games.

Harrison Bader

Currently team: Cincinnati Reds
Left Yankees: August of 2023
Stats with Yankees: 98 G, 334 AB, 43 R, 79 H, 118 TB, 13 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 46 RBI, .236 AVG, .275 OBP, .354 SLG, .629 OPS, 0.62 GO/AO.
Stats after Yankees: 14 G, 31 AB, 4 R, 5 H, 6 TB, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .161 AVG, .235 OBP, .194 SLG, .429 OPS, 0.92 GO/AO.

In contrast, Harrison Bader’s time with the Yankees did not bode well for his future, nor did his stint with the Cincinnati Reds. Bader learned about his departure from the Yankees in August at Comerica Park when his name flashed across the screen during a game. He was claimed by the Reds, who sought to bolster their outfield talent for a postseason push.

Unfortunately, Bader suffered a groin injury and won’t return for the season. He recorded a .429 OPS in 14 games with Cincinnati after being claimed off waivers from the Yankees, resulting in a disappointing walk year with a .232/.274/.348 slash line.

Josh Donaldson

Currently team: Milwaukee Brewers
Left Yankees: August of 2023
Stats with Yankees: 166 G, 584 AB, 72 R, 131 H, 235 TB, 28 2B, 0 3B, 25 HR, 87 RBI, .225 AVG, .310 OBP, .381 SLG, .691 OPS, 0.93 GO/AO.
Stats after Yankees: 15 G, 52 AB, 5 R, 10 H, 23 TB, 4 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .192 AVG, .311 OBP, .442 SLG, .753 OPS, 1.33 GO/AO.

Josh Donaldson‘s tenure with the Yankees was far from ideal. Upon joining the Brewers, he displayed a demeanor more befitting an MVP-caliber player than the disappointment he had been in pinstripes over the past two years. Donaldson’s polarizing behavior has led to his departure from multiple teams since 2018, despite being a productive player before joining the Yankees. The Yankees released Donaldson after a disappointing two-year stretch in which he hit .207 with a .678 OPS spanning 165 games. However, he played excellent defense at third base. Joining the Brewers, Donaldson has shown improvement, slashing .191/.296/.447/.743, an improvement from his performance with the Yankees.

Matt Carpenter

Currently team: San Diego Padres
Left Yankees: December of 2022
Stats with Yankees: 47 G, 128 AB, 28 R, 39 H, 93 TB, 9 2B, 0 3B, 15 HR, 37 RBI, .305 AVG, .412 OBP, .727 SLG, 1.139 OPS.
Stats after Yankees: 76 G, 188 AB, 18 R, 33 H, 60 TB, 12 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 41 BB, 0 IBB, 67 SO, 1 SB, .176 AVG, .322 OBP, .319 SLG, .641 OPS, 0.45 GO/AO

The San Diego Padres have faced disappointment in the 2026 season, failing to meet high expectations. Infielder Matt Carpenter, one of their offseason acquisitions, struggled at the plate but has recently seen increased playing time. Despite his struggles, Carpenter remained committed and ready to step up when called upon. While hitting just .176 with five home runs and 31 RBIs for the year, Carpenter maintained a professional attitude throughout, understanding the business aspect of the game.

Spencer Howard

Currently team: San Francisco Giants
Left Yankees: August 30, 2026
Stats with Yankees: 0
Stats after Yankees: 0

The San Francisco Giants signed right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard to a minor league contract after his release by the New York Yankees in August. Howard has appeared in 38 career MLB games, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers from 2020-2023. With the minor league season winding down, Howard’s contract is expected to extend through the 2024 campaign, providing him an opportunity to compete for a spot in big-league spring training next year.

The board’s decision to invest heavily in young talent is a significant factor in the Yankees’ recent player transfers. It is a strategy that, when successful, can lead to long-term success for the team. However, the effectiveness of this approach will become clearer as time goes on.

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