Yankees blaze trail in offseason pursuit of fireballer Jordan Hicks

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In the midst of an active offseason, the New York Yankees are leaving no stone unturned as they seek to fortify their roster further. Despite already securing outfielders Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, the Yankees are keen on addressing their pitching needs by targeting a young fireballer, Jordan Hicks, according to reports from The Athletic’s Katie Woo.

Yankees target elite fireballer

As the Yankees aim to maintain their competitive edge, the addition of at least one starting pitcher and a couple of relievers remains a priority. Hicks, a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, has emerged as a prime candidate to strengthen the team’s bullpen, given his impressive performance during the 2023 season split between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays.

During the Winter Meetings last week, representatives for Hicks engaged with multiple teams, including the Cardinals, indicating a potential interest in a reunion. The Cardinals had come close to extending Hicks before the deadline, but negotiations fell through, leading to his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the trade, Hicks has expressed openness to returning to the Cardinals.

However, with Hicks being the youngest free-agent reliever at 27 and boasting a high ceiling, league interest has surged. Alongside the Yankees, the Houston Astros have also reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the services of the Houston native.

Hicks showcased his prowess during the 2023 season, posting a 3.29 ERA across 65 outings while splitting time between the Cardinals and the Blue Jays. Particularly noteworthy is his stellar performance after the trade deadline, where he compiled an impressive 2.63 ERA over 25 outings with the Blue Jays.

Given the Yankees’ exceptional bullpen performance in the previous season, the potential addition of Hicks could serve as a strategic move for sustained success. The team’s bullpen was the best in baseball, and acquiring a dynamic talent like Hicks could solidify their pitching lineup for years to come.

As negotiations and discussions unfold during this active offseason, the Yankees find themselves in a promising position to secure the services of Jordan Hicks. The injection of his fireballing capabilities could prove to be the missing piece in their pursuit of maintaining dominance in the upcoming seasons.

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