3 moves the Yankees can make to right the ship
1. Bench Aaron Hicks
This is the most controversial suggestion on the list. Hicks is in the early stages of a big-money contract that theoretically makes him the Yankees’ starting center fielder for years to come. Unfortunately, nothing about his play to date makes him worthy of that designation.
Boone has been quick to bench Clint Frazier in favor of Brett Gardner due to his struggles with the bat. Gardner should be taking Hicks’ at-bats instead. He’s looked completely lost at the plate this season and his costly error already cost the Yankees dearly against Tampa Bay last weekend.
Banishing Hicks forever isn’t a productive decision for the team’s brain trust, but it’s time for the organization to show him that his place in the starting lineup isn’t guaranteed for life. No one with a .160 batting average through 13 games should feel as assured of his everyday spot as Hicks does at the moment.
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If Boone doesn’t want to stress Gardner with the defensive duties required in center, then Mike Tauchman should get more work. The obvious truth is that it’s time to try someone else in center field until Hicks gets his act together. Whether or not this move becomes permanent is entirely up to his performance as the season progresses.