Aaron Hicks will be manning the outfield in Yankee Stadium for a long time after signing a seven-year extension with the New York Yankees.
Once upon a time, the New York Yankees took a chance on the super-talented Aaron Hicks. After acquiring Hicks from the Minnesota Twins, the outfielder has developed into one of the best centerfielders in the American League.
As a result, the Yankees were eager to lock up Hicks for the foreseeable future. Hicks signed a seven-year deal that will keep the outfielder in pinstripes through the 2025 season at the very least. The deal is worth $70 million with a club option worth $12.5 million in 2026. The Yanks reported the deal via Twitter.
The New York Yankees today announced that they have signed OF Aaron Hicks to a 7-year contract extending through the 2025 season, with a club option for the 2026 season. This contract replaces his 1-year contract for 2019 that was announced on Jan 11.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 25, 2019
Hicks has blossomed into an indispensable player for manager Aaron Boone. He has gold-glove potential in the field and the switch hitter is no slouch at the dish.
In his first season in New York, 2016, Hicks was less than impressive. He posted a slash line of .217/.281/.336.
But during the following two seasons he’s completely turned around his offense. His on-base and slugging percentages have skyrocketed. The outfielder’s slash lines for 2017 and 2018 respectively were .266/.372/.475 and .248/.366/.467.
His versatility makes him vital to the team’s lineup. He can hit leadoff or bat cleanup depending on what Boone needs. He has tremendous plate discipline and he rarely gives away at-bats.
This deal is mutually beneficial for both sides. Hicks is entering his age-29 season and this contract allows him to avoid the risk of entering free agency at the ripe age of 30. Furthermore, the Yankees lock down a key piece of their roster for the foreseeable future on a team-friendly deal.
