Yankees' Aaron Hicks dances around trade request question
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks offered an interesting non-answer when he was asked if he's spoken with team officials about a possible trade this spring.
"That’s a random question," Hicks responded while chuckling following Tuesday's 11-2 win at the Cleveland Guardians, per Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I’m here to play. That’s what I’m here for. I’m here to play. I’m here to play baseball. Know what I mean?"
Hicks repeatedly heard boos from frustrated Yankees fans during home games last year and more recently admitted he understands how his struggles at the plate have made him a target of such jeers. After the 33-year-old slashed .216/.330/.313 with eight home runs and 40 RBI across 130 regular-season games in 2022, he went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts to open the current campaign.
Hicks raised eyebrows when he revealed earlier this month he was displeased about a lack of playing time. To his credit, he's gone 3-for-8 in his last two games and had two hits and two runs scored in Tuesday's blowout win.
Manager Aaron Boone rewarded Hicks with a start in Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon:
"I’m just waiting for opportunities to play," Hicks added during his comments on Tuesday evening. "When I get the opportunities, I try to make the most out of them. That’s pretty much where I’m at."
Hicks signed a seven-year, $70M contract extension ahead of the 2019 season, and Miller noted that deal includes $20M guaranteed after this year. Miller also wrote that "it’s believed the Yankees have been shopping (Hicks) for more than a year, but it’s not easy moving a player with a big contract who has been hurt and struggled as much as he has in the last five seasons."
In total, Hicks was batting just .200 with a single RBI this spring ahead of Wednesday's action.
"I felt comfortable in the box," Hicks said about his performance on Tuesday. "I just have to keep building on that. It felt good to get in there and get some at-bats. Yeah, it felt good."
His night likely "felt good" for individuals within the Yankees who will continue to shop the switch-hitter, possibly up through the summer trade deadline.
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