Yankees DFA longtime outfielder, ending disappointing run with team

New York Yankees fans had grown tired of outfielder Aaron Hicks long ago. 

The front office has finally joined them in their displeasure. 

The Yankees designated Hicks for assignment on Saturday before their game against the Cincinnati Reds, ending what has been an incredibly expensive and disappointing run with the team. 

Hicks signed a seven-year, $70 million contract with the Yankees following a career year in 2018 that saw him hit 27 home runs and finish as a 4.7 WAR player. The Yankees bought high on that performance and it never really came close to working out.

His play progressively declined in each year that followed, and finally reached rock bottom this season. Entering play on Saturday he was hitting just .188 with one home run in 69 at-bats over 28 games. 

He still has three years and $30 million remaining on that contract. 

Hicks briefly spoke to the media on Saturday, via the New York Post. 

“It is what it is,” Hicks said on Saturday, via the New York Post. “It’s part of the business side of it. Just got to move on to the next chapter. This is a very good baseball team. It kind of seemed like it wasn’t working out for me. Obviously with the decision they decided to make, maybe somewhere else might be a little bit better.”

There was some belief that Hicks could be the odd man out earlier this month when reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge returned from injury, but he managed to stick around for a few more weeks.

With Hicks now removed from the 40-man roster the Yankees added Greg Allen. 

Hicks has played in 898 career games over 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and Yankees, compiling a .230 average with a .713 OPS and 101 home runs.