The New York Yankees are dreaming of a World Series this year, but it’s never too early to start looking at the future. Fans love to do this especially when there’s players currently taking up roster real estate that are largely loathed by the majority of fans.
There are going to be a lot of moves from Brian Cashman and the Yankees in the offseason. Priority number one is obviously signing Aaron Judge to an extension that will make him a life-long Yankee.
One of the other priorities for Brian Cashman is going to be essentially cutting dead weight. The day of the trade deadline, the New York Yankees traded for outfielder Harrison Bader. When healthy, Bader is expected to take over being the every day centerfielder.
Bader will be a Yankee next year and the bombers are planning on Judge being with the team next year. If you slot those two guys in, there’s one outfield spot left. Giancarlo Stanton will get outfield reps next year, but they need a primary starter in left.
You might be saying, ‘Aaron Hicks is going to be the guy,’ and it wouldn’t surprise most. However, word is that the Yankees are going to be focused on cutting ties with Hicks and dumping his salary after the season is over.
Yankees will look to move Hicks
Regardless of his play the rest of the way, New York does not want Aaron Hicks in their outfield next year. The Hicks extension has been a complete disaster for the Yankees and if the money was higher, we’d be lumping him in with Jacoby Ellsbury.
Hicks has been serviceable, but he’s been hurt all the time and when he has played, it’s not like we are seeing an All Star talent. People are talking about big it was to see Hicks get a couple of hits and walk the past couple of games. Forgetting to shine a light on the 0-32 skid he was just on.
NJ.Com reported that the Yankees already tried dumping Hicks at the deadline. They will focus on this in the offseason as well. The Yanks have to give Judge the bag, and they will look to upgrade their team. If they want the funds to do it, one of the ways is clearing salary from dead weight players.
Josh Donaldson is another player who could very well be on the chopping block. Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Aaron Hicks, and Josh Donaldson’s money coming off the books would be music to Hal Steinbrenner’s ears. Chapman and Britton are free agents and the Yankees will look to move Hicks and Donaldson to create additional financial flexibility to improve the team.