Just four days after parting ways with the New York Yankees, Aaron Hicks wasted no time in finding a new home within the American League East.
The Baltimore Orioles have confirmed that Aaron Hicks has signed a big-league contract with the team.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, there were initial reports of the Baltimore Orioles expressing “serious interest” in signing the 33-year-old outfielder, Aaron Hicks. Jon Heyman of MLB Network and the New York Post also confirmed that Aaron Hicks is nearing a deal with the team.
Following the Baltimore Orioles’ 5-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, manager Brandon Hyde informed reporters that Cedric Mullins, who was taken out of the game in the eighth inning, had sustained a right abductor/groin strain. Further evaluation was needed to determine whether Mullins would be placed on the injured list. However, on Tuesday, the team officially announced that Mullins would indeed be placed on the IL.
On May 20, the New York Yankees designated Aaron Hicks for assignment, granting them a seven-day window to explore trade possibilities. Any team interested in acquiring the veteran outfielder would need to absorb the remainder of his contract, which amounts to approximately two-plus years and around $30 million.
Amidst his third consecutive underwhelming season, the Yankees decided to part ways with Aaron Hicks. His performance, indicated by a .241 wOBA, places him at the 168th position out of 183 American League players who have had at least 70 plate appearances in the 2023 season.
From the beginning of 2021 until now, Aaron Hicks has maintained a batting line of .209/.315/.310, hitting 13 home runs and accumulating 159 strikeouts in 561 at-bats. Despite his struggles at the plate, he remains a valuable outfielder who contributed significantly to the team’s defense, saving eight runs in just 413 innings while playing in left field during the previous year.
If Mullins is sidelined for an extended period, it would create a significant gap to fill in center field for the Orioles. So far this season, Mullins has been performing well, with a batting average of .263, an on-base percentage of .356, and a slugging percentage of .479. He has also hit eight home runs and stolen 13 bases in 53 games. The 28-year-old has been a valuable contributor to the team, currently tied for 10th among all AL position players with 1.8 FanGraphs wins above replacement.
Aaron Hicks has reached a stage in his career where it may not be ideal for him to play center field regularly. The Yankees made the decision to reduce his usage in that position on a daily basis during the previous season.
While Ryan McKenna is a potential candidate to fill in for Mullins in center field, the addition of Aaron Hicks would provide Orioles manager Brandon Hyde with another option to utilize the team’s depth this season.
The Orioles have exceeded expectations thus far, posting an impressive 34-20 record that places them second in the AL East, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by four games.
Aaron Boon’s reaction on Baltimore signing Aaron Hicks
Fan reactions
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I think, Bader is the new Jacoby Ellsbury, or Karl Pavano. Hicks going to Baltimore is of no interest to me, he is done like dinner. Sitting back now cashing his Bobby Bonnila pay checks. Getting paid for doing absolutely nothing