Yankees: With Hicks coming back, Holliday is destined for the bench

Matt Holliday brings a lot to the table for the Yankees. But lately, the one thing that is seriously missing is his bat.

As a matter of fact, Holliday’s been so poor at the plate that it’s entirely possible he becomes the odd man out in the Yankees lineup upon Aaron Hicks‘ return from the disabled list.

The issue with the 14-year veteran is a familiar one. Similar to other times in his career, whether he was playing for the Rockies, A’s or Cardinals, once the venerable clubhouse leader is forced to the disabled list, he simply takes a very long time to get going upon his return.

On the season, Holliday’s numbers now stand at .235/.326/.441 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI. Though his power numbers are strong, especially considering he missed three weeks with a viral infection, Holliday’s 93 strikeouts (30% of his at-bats since the All-Star break) have him on pace to exceed his previous high of 126 K’s in 2007.

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With Clint Frazier proving to the world that he’s at the major league level to stay, Brett Gardner slugging 19 homers to-date and Aaron Judge being “the future face of the game,” manager Joe Girardi has limited places to plug-in the 27-year-old Hicks — who before his own DL stint, looked to finally be rounding into the type of player worthy of a first round draft pick back in 2008 by the Twins.

Quite simply, Hicks’ .290/.398/.515 slash line, 10 dingers and 37 RBI in only 200 at-bats need to be in the lineup every day. On top of a very impressive stat line is the fact that Hicks is arguably the Yankees’ best defensive outfielder.

By placing him in the outfield rotation, Girardi can keep Gardner and Judge fresher-longer throughout the final two months of the season. With Judge in the midst of an epic second-half slump, getting him off his feet as much as possible for the bulk of 9 innings a night — allowing him to DH two or three times a week would be a much-needed respite.

Opposed to a few angry posts I’ve recently read online, I, personally wouldn’t DFA Holliday, though. The attributes he brings to the clubhouse are immeasurable, especially as the Yankees enter the stretch run of a legitimate playoff push.

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Even if Holliday can’t be counted on to be the club’s cleanup hitter, as he did for much of the first half of the season, I’d much rather have him coming off the bench in a crucial spot than the likes of Austin Romine or the recently demoted Garrett Cooper.