Aaron Hicks inks deal with Orioles after being DFA’d by Yankees with two-years left on his contract
SEATTLE — Aaron Hicks is staying put — in the American League East.
The veteran has agreed to a major league deal with the Orioles, the team announced Tuesday. Baltimore needed outfield help, as Cedric Mullins is dealing with a right groin strain.
The Yankees recently designated Hicks for assignment and released him on May 26. In doing so, they ate the remaining three years and nearly $30 million left on his contract, including this season.
The O’s will pay Hicks the major league minimum.
“Hopefully, it’s a good opportunity for him, and certainly wish him well,” Aaron Boone said Tuesday. “Not too well being in our division on a team we’re chasing, but hopefully it’s a really good fit for him.”
Hicks debuted for the Yankees in 2016 and signed a seven-year, $70 million extension following a career-year in 2018. But he’s played in just 303 games while hitting .218/.330/.360 since then, and he hit .188 over 28 games for the Yankees this season before the club cut ties with the 33-year-old.
“I hope what doesn’t get lost is a couple of really good seasons that he had here,” Boone said after Hicks’ release. “Had some good postseason moments here. And then some injuries really impacted his time here and probably impacted his career and his ability to get back to that level.”
Hicks, who began his career with the Twins, has played more games at Yankee Stadium (344) and Target Field (132) than any other parks in baseball. Baltimore’s Camden Yards is a distant third (46). Hicks is a .214/.289/.296 lifetime hitter with two home runs and 16 RBI there.
Baltimore visits the Bronx on July 3 to begin a four-game series. Should Hicks still be an Oriole at that point, he will get a chance to stick it to the Yankees in front of fans that frequently booed him toward the end of his tenure in pinstripes.
Boone knows it will be weird to see Hicks wearing Orioles orange, whether that happens at Yankee Stadium or not.
“Anytime you have a player leave, especially one that’s been with you for a long time, it’s always odd seeing them in another uniform,” the manager said.
