Yankees designate veteran Aaron Hicks for assignment after trading for Red Sox’ Greg Allen
By alexandreBusiness
Yankees designate veteran Aaron Hicks for assignment after trading for Red Sox’ Greg Allen
After a series of roster moves in the past few days, the New York Yankees have designated veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks for assignment. The move came after the team traded for Greg Allen from their rivals, the Boston Red Sox, who will likely take over Hicks’ role in the outfield.
In recent years, Hicks had been a key player for the Yankees, consistently putting up solid numbers and contributing to the team’s success. However, this season has been a different story. Hicks has struggled at the plate, hitting just .194 with 4 home runs and 14 RBI in 53 games. His defensive performance has also left something to be desired, leading to the team’s decision to designate him for assignment.
The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hicks
Aaron Hicks was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2008 and spent his first few seasons in the majors with the team. In 2015, he was traded to the Yankees, where he quickly became a valuable member of the team. In 2018, Hicks signed a seven-year, $70 million contract extension with the Yankees, solidifying his place on the team.
However, since signing his extension, Hicks’ performance has declined. Injuries have played a role in his struggles, as he has missed significant time in both 2019 and 2020. This season, it seems that he has yet to fully recover, leading to his poor performance and eventual designation for assignment.
Despite his recent struggles, Hicks remains a talented player with potential. It remains to be seen whether another team will take a chance on him and give him the opportunity to regain his form.
The Addition of Greg Allen
In the wake of Hicks’ departure, the Yankees have acquired Greg Allen from their rivals, the Boston Red Sox. Allen is a speedy outfielder who has shown promise in his limited time in the majors, hitting .239 with 4 home runs and 25 RBI in 121 games.
While Allen may not be as established as Hicks, he brings a different skill set to the Yankees’ outfield. His speed and ability to play all three outfield positions will make him a valuable asset for the team, especially as they continue to deal with injuries to key players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
It will be interesting to see how Allen performs with the Yankees and whether he can cement his place on the team.
The Yankees’ Roster Moves
The decision to designate Hicks for assignment and trade for Allen was just one of several roster moves the Yankees made in the past few days. They also activated first baseman Luke Voit from the injured list and optioned outfielder Estevan Florial to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
These moves reflect the constant changes and adjustments that teams make as they try to navigate the long MLB season. As injuries and performance fluctuations occur, teams must be nimble in their decisions and willing to make tough choices like designating veteran players for assignment.
Aaron Hicks’ designation for assignment marks the end of an era for the Yankees. Despite his recent struggles, Hicks was a beloved member of the team who contributed to its success in past seasons. However, the acquisition of Greg Allen and the team’s need for a more consistent performance forced the Yankees to make a difficult decision about Hicks’ future with the team.
As the season continues, the Yankees will need to rely on their new additions and the performance of their remaining players to make a push for the playoffs. Whether Allen can live up to his potential and replace Hicks’ contributions remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain – nothing is guaranteed in the world of baseball.
