Aaron Hicks is noticeably frustrated with his role on the Yankees so far in 2023, complaining publically about wanting an everyday role.
In 2019, Aaron Hicks signed a seven year deal with the Yankees. It was a bet that the outfielder would continue to play at his 2018 level for years to come.
Now, it looks like that bet was a bad one. Hicks has played more than 60 games in a season just once during the life of the contract. Along with his injury troubles, he just hasn’t looked like the player New York hoped for.
It’s pretty clear he’s lost his job in center field. Oswaldo Cabrera has started there to start the 2023 season. The Yankees even started career infielder Isaih Kiner-Falefa in center on Sunday over Hicks. That had to hurt.
Aaron Hicks complained about having “no idea” about Yankees role
The writing is on the wall that Hicks isn’t a priority for the organization. He seems to know it too, telling The Athletic that he has “no idea what [his] role is.”
“I just want to play,” Hicks said. “I don’t want to come off the bench and face closers all day. I want to play the field, I want to play everyday, and it’s just what I want to do.”
Where does that leave Hicks and the Yankees?
Manager Aaron Boone said that Hicks would get his opportunities doing “a little bit of everything.” It just doesn’t sound like that’s what would make the player content.
When a player comes out and says they have “no idea” about their role, something is wrong. Boone and company have to take notice because that kind of dissatisfaction can become toxic.
Of course, the biggest issue is that Hicks doesn’t deserve to be an everyday player for the Yankees at this stage.
So the solution is simple. Either communicate better with Hicks and get him back on board with the plan for him this season. Or seriously look at what options are out there in terms of trades.