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Yankees on the 40-Man Roster Who Are Expendable

By Aaron Dortch

Jun 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) during batting practice prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) during batting practice prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 28, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) on deck to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) on deck to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Fourth outfielder – Aaron Hicks

Disappointing, head-scratching, replaceable … pick any or all three to describe Hicks’ time in Yankee pinstripes.

Traded in November 2015 by the Twins for second-string catcher J.R. Murphy, Hicks was viewed as a future stud in the Yankees’ outfield blueprints. But a current sub-Mendoza Line batting average is putting the switch-hitter’s role in question.

Joe Girardi watched last year’s squad flop against southpaws on a consistent basis, and bringing Hicks into the fold as a platoon hitter was supposed to help solve the dilemma. Playing a career-best season in 2015, Hicks pummeled lefties — .870 OPS with six homers in 101 at-bats (1 HR per 16.8 ABs) –to the point that scouts believed he was on the verge of breaking out.

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Those reports have become laughingstocks right now, because Hicks’ 2016 numbers have been so bad against lefties (and righties) that he’s losing playing time to Refsnyder.

  • Hicks vs. lefties in 2016: .155/.218/.225 with one homer and six RBIs in 71 ABs (yikes)
  • Refsnyder vs. lefties in 2016: .290/.378/.419 with six RBIs in 31 ABs

With dismal figures like that, the only saving grace keeping Hicks around with the big league club is that he’s out of minor league options.

Still, with Refsnyder hitting his way onto the field, top prospect Aaron Judge tied for second with 16 long balls in the International League (minors), and other outfielders making strides in Triple-A (Ben Gamel, Jake Cave, Tyler Austin and Cesar Puello) the Yankees should be tightening Hicks’ leash.

Hicks shouldn’t be the first roster casualty because of his defensive prowess and versatility, but if the Bronx Bombers truly hope to compete in the postseason and tough decisions must be made, they’ll need all the hitters they can get.

Next: Yankees Prospect Jorge Mateo Suspended for Two Weeks

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