Angels, OF Aaron Hicks agree to deal; Yankees on hook for $19M\u060c<\/p>\n
Alden Gonzalez, ESPN editorJanuary 29, 2024, 8:08 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n The Los Angeles Angels agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks on Monday, adding him to an outfield group that includes Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell.<\/p>\n Hicks is still under the seven-year, $70 million contract he originally signed with the New York Yankees, which runs through the 2025 season. The deal pays Hicks 9 .5 million in 2024 and $9.5 million in 2025 and includes a $1 million buyout for a club option in 2026. The Yankees are still responsible for all of that minus the leagues minimum of $740,000 majors that the Angels will pay him in 2024.<\/p>\n Hicks, 34, was released by the Yankees after slashing just .188\/.263\/.261 through the first two months of the 2023 season, but improved significantly upon joining the Orioles' division rivals from Baltimore, its slash line increasing to .275\/. 381\/.425 over the remaining 65 games. Hicks' best streak came from 2017-2020, during which he posted an .819 OPS while accumulating 60 home runs and 8.7 FanGraphs wins above replacement in 338 games.<\/p>\n Hicks is a hitter who has played primarily center field, but he also has plenty of experience in both corners of the outfield. His addition could allow the Angels to use one of their other outfielders to acquire a starting pitcher or impact bat via trade, but he also serves as critical depth given the questions surrounding Adell's development.<\/p>\n Hicks' presence shouldn't prompt Trout to leave center field.<\/p>\nESPN baseball reporter. Covered the LA Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the LA Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n