Yankees Aaron Hicks Hot Streak Too Little, Too Late

Despite improved in August play, Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks cannot make up for four months of incompetence.

While Gary Sanchez has been stealing the show this month, Aaron Hicks has finally begun to look like the toolsy player the Yankees thought they were getting in August. The problem for Hicks, though, is not Sanchez’ insane numbers. It’s that fans don’t care about his recent hot streak—and no one should.

Far too many Yankees underperformed in April and May (and June and July). The Yankees started 8-16 but are 13 games over .500 since then. We all see the cumulative effect: the Yankees are currently 67-62 and in fourth place in the A.L. East.

There are also five teams between the Yankees and the second wild card. If players such as Hicks had come close to their potential and split those first 24 games, their record would be 71-58. That would be good enough for third in the A.L. and control of the second Wild Card.

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Hicks is not the only player to blame. Beltran started slow but departed as the Yankees best hitter. Alex Rodriguez played his way right into a goodbye ceremony.

Mark Teixeira has seemingly tried to match Hicks for most days spent below .200. That would be comical if it was not my team. At least Teixeira had the good manners to announce his retirement.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

That just leaves Hicks. There are not enough days left in the season for him to make up for his earlier, four-month long malaise. Okay, yes, if he built a time machine. Fine. If he goes back and bats .240 from the beginning, that should help the Yanks get four more wins in the first four months.

Other than that, he would have to put up insane numbers to be forgiven. Something ridiculous like 11 home runs and 20 RBIs in the next three weeks. Nah, no one can do that.

This is not just about 2016. If he stays hot through September, he might get another long leash in 2017. That would be unforgivable. I realize that Jackie Bradley, Jr. struggled for a few years and is now having a great year. But the Red Sux finished last four out of five years, partially while they waited for guys like Bradley to mature. Is Hicks worth that?

How many bad months and years are worth waiting when the Yankees have a slew of guys who could at least bat over .200? I would much rather see Gamel or Cave get 400 Abs next year. I’ll even take Dustin Fowler (that’s for you, Corky and Michael). This is all so similar to Eduardo Nunez. He is a good player now. But the Twins have time to let a player mature at the big league level; the Yankees do not.

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Back to the Future

It was maddening at times to see Hicks in the field and Rob Refsnyder on the bench. Hicks would have a .189 ERA and Ref a .289. Girardi would talk about “getting Hicksy going.” I would think, why are you trying to turn him into a .300 hitter? Why not just play the guy who is already a .300 hitter (Refsnyder)? I do not want another year of that. Of seeing Fowler or Gamel or Refsnyder sit on the bench while we all wait for Hicks. Godot did not take this long. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am glad Hicks and Tex are playing better and helping them win now. But even in the best case scenario, a six-week hot streak cannot make up for four months of underproduction. A new era is starting for the Yankees–or is that ERA? Anyone who hit below .200 through July 2016 should not be on the 2017 roster.