The New York Yankees are in dire need of utility support after outfielder Aaron Hicks suffered a bone contusion in his right shin on Tuesday evening against the Cincinnati Reds. To help supplement his loss, the Bombers called upon a familiar face, Tyler Wade, to help smooth over the adversity.
Per the Yankees:
The New York Yankees announced that they have acquired INF/OF Tyler Wade on Wednesday from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The Yankees acquired Wade from the Los Angeles Angels after playing 67 games this season with 163 plate appearances. He currently features a .218 average won-base7.2% on base rate, one homer, and eight RBIs. He has stolen eight bases this year, coming off his best campaign as a professional with the Yankees in 2021.
Last season, he recorded a .268 average and 35% on base rate over 145 plate appearances. His numbers have fallen off significantly this season, but he is still a valuable player on the base paths and can play multiple defensive positions.
- Yankees ‘considering’ 4 star players if they miss out on Juan Soto
- Yankees could target $27.5 million Chicago lefty as potential first base solution
- Yankees’ captain earns second career AL MVP award
Wade has experience at nearly every infield spot aside from first base and plays all three outfield positions, showcasing its value.
The Yankees know what to expect from the 27-year-old, and after being DFAd by the Los Angeles Angels, the Bombers saw an easy opportunity to recoup his talent.
At the very least, Wade is a serviceable defensive player who can run the base paths well at a cheap price point. However, losing Aaron Hicks is a big deal, given his performance lately.
In June, Hicks elevated his batting average to .247 with a 35.6% on-base rate. So far in July, he was hitting .370 with a 48.5% on base over 27 at-bats. Bone contusion injuries can be serious, but he was able to flex his ankle on Wednesday, which was a sign of progress.
Hopefully, Hicks’s injury won’t be a long-term situation, allowing him to return after the All-Star break.