BALTIMORE — Aaron Hicks didn’t play within the Yankees’ 7-6 loss to the Orioles on Friday, but his identify nonetheless drew consideration.
That’s not the primary time that’s occurred to the outfielder this yr, as Hicks has taken a again seat to only about everybody on the Yankees’ depth chart. That seat has include a belt firmly fixed to the staff’s bench, save for just a few begins on April 3 and 4. Aside from that, Hicks has only one different at-bat this season; he’s 0-for-7 with a stroll and three strikeouts.
Aaron Boone had two possibilities to make use of Hicks on Friday, however he as a substitute selected Isiah Kiner-Falefa on each events. “IKF” can be hitting .000 and had by no means performed the outfield within the majors earlier than this season, however that didn’t cease him from pinch-hitting for lefty-swinging proper fielder Franchy Cordero — who homered earlier within the sport — when the Orioles turned to southpaw Danny Coulombe within the sixth.
“I like the chance of IKF putting the ball in play there,” Boone mentioned afterward, including that he yanked Cordero as a result of left-on-left matchup. “He popped it up,” with a runner on third.
Kiner-Falefa took over in heart area, the place Hicks has spent nearly all of his profession at, whereas Aaron Judge shifted to proper.
Boone then saved Kiner-Falefa within the sport when the Yankees had two outs, a person on third and an opportunity to tie the back-and-forth sport within the eighth. The utility man struck out.
When particularly requested why Kiner-Falefa acquired that at-bat as a substitute of Hicks, Boone provided a proof that mentioned an entire lot extra in regards to the veteran outfielder than it did the supervisor’s in-game technique.
“We’re looking for a hit in that spot,” Boone mentioned. “It’s not an on-base situation, necessarily. It’s more of a hit [situation], so I liked IKF there.”
Both choices are hitless this season, so it’s not like Boone must be raked over the coals for the selection he made. However, the implication of that assertion is that Hicks isn’t good for something greater than a stroll within the Yankees’ eyes. And contemplating that Kiner-Falefa has acquired way more time in heart area — Hicks truly hasn’t performed there but in 2023 — it’s additionally honest to query whether or not the Yankees desire his inexperienced protection over what Hicks presents at this stage in his profession.
While Boone has complimented the way in which Hicks completed spring coaching and repeated issues alongside the strains of “He’s going to play,” the skipper has additionally famous that there are solely so many at-bats to go round given the Yankees’ present roster development.
Oswaldo Cabrera, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI Friday, has earned on a regular basis enjoying time, and left area is the very best place for him to do this proper now regardless of his versatility. Cordero, in the meantime, has made a powerful first impression after signing with the Yankees on March 30. Then there’s Willie Calhoun, one other nook outfielder who was added to the Yankees’ roster Saturday morning when Josh Donaldson hit the injured record.
And don’t overlook about Harrison Bader. He’s anticipated to be sidelined with an indirect harm for just a few extra weeks, however he’ll take over in heart and additional crowd the Yankees’ outfield depth chart upon his return — if others on the place stay wholesome.
At that time, may the Yankees lower their losses and designate Hicks for project?
If a transfer needed to be made this immediate, that may be the one which makes probably the most baseball sense given the staff’s obvious lack of use for the switch-hitter. Hicks is owed $30 million over the three remaining years of his contract, together with 2023, so that would complicate issues, however the Yankees took an analogous hit after they lower Jacoby Ellsbury free in 2019. And in contrast to Joey Gallo, who solely got here with a half-season dedication final summer season, the Yankees haven’t been capable of finding takers for Hicks after an offseason of commerce rumors.
Hicks, who heard heavy boos through the Yankees’ opening homestand, has expressed “a little bit” of frustration together with his function to Boone throughout conversations they’ve had, in keeping with the latter. Hicks went so far as telling The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty that he has “no idea” what his function is on April 2.
With all this serving as a backdrop to Boone’s illuminating feedback and choices on Friday, Hicks’ future within the Bronx is changing into murkier by the day. For now, it appears the very best he can hope for are scant begins.
But weeks from now? It’s changing into simpler and simpler to see the Yankees making a financially pricey — however roster unclogging — resolution.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com