Braves rumors: 3 moves Atlanta must avoid despite injury woes

Braves cannot trade for Aaron Hicks. Trust me

Yes, I’m the guy who wrote the Aaron Hicks trade scenario just last week. I’m also the guy telling you it’s not going to work out.

Sometimes, we all get checked. That happened to me the minute Robert Murray graded my trade a literal 1/10. My thinking was simple — the Braves needed outfield help, and the Yankees want Hicks off their roster. Hicks had complained about playing time, and that’s drama New York cannot afford. I also noted that Hicks contract might be an issue for the Braves, so they should ask New York to pay for at least half.

However, as Murray noted, there’s a couple of clear issues here:

"“For one, trading him would clear the three years and over $30 million remaining on his contract off the Yankees’ payroll. Secondly, he has not hid the fact that he’s not happy with his role in the team’s outfield — he’s essentially a backup in both center and left field — and he wants to be a starter. That opportunity wouldn’t come in Atlanta, who already are set in the outfield. Hicks would be in the same situation he is in New York and is unlikely to be happy — though getting into a different uniform could be exactly what he needs to jumpstart his career again.”"

Now, it should be noted that this was written well before Harris II injured himself over the weekend. But, a trade for Hicks at this juncture feels like an overreaction. Harris should be back in no time.