The Yankees Office has partnered the release of the outfielder Aaron Hicks before Friday’s game against the Padres, officially ending the former standout’s tumultuous eight-year stint with the club.
News of Hicks’ release comes nearly a week after New York designated the 33-year-old for assignment. In his 28 games played this season, Hicks recorded 13 hits, one home run and five RBIs while slashing a paltry .188/.263/.261.
Now free to join any team of his choosing as a free agent, Hicks, a 2008 Twins draft pick who joined the Yankees via trade in Nov. 2015, looking to recover his once-promising career in a new city. The 11-year veteran endured a rocky run in NYC, where he was derailed by several ailments, including surgery to repair a torn wrist sleeve in 2021 and Tommy John surgery after the ’19 season .
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Before his injuries, Hicks appeared to be on track to become a key piece for the Yankees after a breakout 2018 campaign. Hicks recorded 119 hits, 27 home runs and 79 RBI while hit .248 in 137 games—all career highs—and went on to inking a seven-year, $70 million extension in February ’19.
In seven seasons with the Yankees, Hicks logged 477 hits, 81 home runs and 278 RBI in 651 games played.
With his time in the Big Apple now over, Hicks’ next deal is expected to be for the league minimum, even though he is owed money from his contract with the Yankees. The club is on the hook for $10.5 million in 2023, and will also pay Hicks $20 million after this season,per USA Today.
