New York Yankees have a difficult decision to make on the roster

The New York Yankees handled the Minnesota Twins with ease, allowing just seven total runs in a three-game sweep that will send them to the ALCS. Either Houston Astros or Tampa Bay Rays will be their next opponent, but the active roster for the postseason could be shuffled around a bit with the return of one starting outfielder.

Brett Gardner has played well the last few weeks, hitting home runs at an unfathomable rate and enjoying consistently solid defensive performances. However, the Yankees could elect to make a decision that would send Gardner to the bench. The return of center fielder Aaron Hicks looms, and manager Aaron Boone must decide what’s better for the team.

Hicks has been rehabbing from a right flexor strains, but according to the Associated Press, he’s “definitely ready to go out there and play.”

Featuring in the postseason is an experience most players don’t want to forfeit, which is why Hicks will attempt to thrust his way into the starting lineup.

“That’s really what I’m getting ready for, is to get back and play in the playoffs.”

Aaron hasn’t played since August 3, which presents a problem in terms of hitting. He will need consistent at-bats to regain his eye for the ball and timing, and the Yankees cannot afford to experiment with him in the ALCS.

That hasn’t stopped New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone from stating that Hicks is still on his mind:

“He is very much a consideration,” Boone said. “He’s good physically. He obviously hasn’t had the kind of reps or games that you’d like, but he has certainly put himself in a position to be considered.”

“You could also see him filling a number of roles,” Boone said. “When he’s healthy, he’s a really good player and a really important player for us, an impact player. I could see him [doing] anything, from being in the lineup on a given game. I could see him being on our bench. I could also see us not ready to make that move yet because of not being fully worked back up.”

Hicks featured in just 59 games this past season, slashing .235/.325/.442 with 12 homers and a .769 OPS. His seven-year, $70 million deal didn’t start in an ideal way, but he will be an essential piece to the team moving forward if he can remain healthy, that is.

I believe that the Yankees and Boone should pass on Hicks — follow the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Yanks have been on fire as of late, scoring an impressive 23 total runs in their domination over the Twins. Picking the roster is a difficult task, but there’s simply no place for Hicks considering Cameron Maybin’s home-run in game three and quality base-running.