Yankees news: Aaron Hicks could sway Brian Cashman away from Bryan Reynolds trade
By Mark Powell
As much as New York Yankees fans may want an upgrade in left field, Aaron Hicks has played well enough to potentially earn his spot amid Bryan Reynolds trade rumors.
The Yankees plan in left field is getting clearer by the day, but it’s not necessarily one New York baseball fans will be happy with. Aaron Boone and Co. would rather Aaron Hicks be manning left field. Not Oswaldo Cabrera. Not Aaron Judge. Not Bryan Reynolds.
Reynolds, in particular, has been floated for quite some time as a solution to the Yanks outfield woes. He would come at a cost, however, as the Yankees would have to trade several highly-regarded prospects to Pittsburgh. The asking price may start at Volpe or Peraza, which would be immediately answer by Brian Cashman hanging up the phone.
Reynolds would make the Yankees a better team in the interim, of course. Perhaps he would be the missing piece on a team that was swept by the Houston Astros in the ALCS last postseason. Instead, it is Hicks who will likely get another chance to prove himself.
As much as you might want to deny it, Aaron Hicks is smoking the baseball.
— Yanks Go Yard (@YanksGoYardFS) March 7, 2023
Aaron Hicks giving Yankees not choice but to play him
Hicks has an OPS of 1.077 with a .385 batting average this spring. His five hits in 13 at-bats, along with one long ball, has made it tough for the Yankees to move on from him. Entering spring training, Hicks may have been on the hot seat — but that is no longer the case.
As for Cabrera, Boone did admit that he was in the running for the starting left field spot. However, Boone didn’t sound all that confident.
“He’s competing on some level for (left field),” Boone said.
Some level? What’s that supposed to mean?
What about Bryan Reynolds?
Per Randy Miller of NJ.com, Yankees executives believe the Pirates will continue to try to extend Reynolds until the All-Star Break. If that does not occur, then perhaps their price tag will go down and New York’s front office can make a serious run at him.
Hicks is the frontrunner in left field for two reasons — a lack of options and the simple fact that he came into camp ready for said competition. It’s working in his favor.
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