We’re about to say something that will sound crazy to the baseball world — including Yankees fans: Aaron Hicks will be one of the most intriguing free agents on the market this fall.
With Hal Steinbrenner still picking up most of Hicks’ salary for the next two seasons, the Yankees bust who resurrected his career with the Orioles will cost a team near zero: He’ll put the “free” in free agent.
If Hicks, 33, doesn’t want to re-sign with the Orioles, or if he’s not wanted there long-term because the Orioles want to promote young talent, he could have his pick among other projected contenders.
Hicks was now a valuable backup pitcher for the Orioles who had his moments. He filled in for injured centerfielder Cedric Mullins, but he spent two trips on the injured list himself. Hicks blasted a home run and five RBIs in Game 2 as the Orioles were swept out of the playoffs by the Texas Rangers.
In Game 1, he also missed a hit-and-run sign, and Gunnar Henderson was thrown out in the ninth inning in a 3-2 loss.
He finishing with a slash line of .275/.381/.425, seven home runs and 31 RBI in 65 games after the Yankees cut him loose as the Orioles won their first AL East title since 2014 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Hicks proved he wasn’t worthy of the seven-year $70 million contract that still pays him, but he could be a valuable fourth outfielder — a switch-hitter who can play centerfield.
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Hicks, though, still fancies himself a starter: “I want to play every day,” he said when he joined the Orioles. “I don’t want to be a fourth outfielder. I’ve already done that and it doesn’t work for me.
Yankees fans — who booed his pregame highlight video when he returned to the Bronx — might not appreciate him, but at the veterans’ minimum salary, somebody will, though he’ll have to play his way into being a starter again. But other Yankees flops have done that. Right, Gary Sanchez?
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