Aaron Hicks Free Agency Update: Outfielder agrees deal with Angels, will remain on Yankees' payroll until 2025
The Los Angeles Angels have reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Aaron Hicks.
According to MLB insider Jeff Fletcher, the former New York Yankees star is set to continue being paid by his former club while also making $740,000 from Los Angeles for the 2024 season.
"Source: the Angels have agreed to a deal with OF Aaron Hicks, who is still being paid by the Yankees through 2025. He was released last year. Now retiring to my vacation." - @JeffFletcherOCR
While Aaron Hicks remains a polarizing figure among New York Yankees fans, he will present the Los Angeles Angels with a veteran outfielder who enjoyed a bounceback season once he joined the Baltimore Orioles.
It remains to be seen how much he has in the tank given the fact that he's 34, but his second half of the 2023 season is an encouraging sign for Los Angeles.
During Hicks' tenure with the New York Yankees from 2019 to 2023, the veteran outfielder struggled to make much of an impact, leading to his release last year. New York will reportedly owe Hicks $8.76 million in 2024, $9.5 million in 2025 and $1 million in 2026 for a buyout.
"The New York Yankees are paying Aaron Hicks 10 million a year to hit bombs for the Orioles" - @kambrice1tv
Hicks was subsequently signed by the Baltimore Orioles. It was with Baltimore that the veteran outfielder rebuilt some of his value. In 65 games, he posted a .275 batting average with seven home runs, 31 RBIs and six stolen bases.
Aaron Hicks could help the Los Angeles Angels usher in a new era
The veteran outfielder joins a Los Angeles Angels squad looking to establish a new culture and identity. Following the departure of Shohei Ohtani in free agency, the Halos have rung the changes this offseason ahead of the 2024 season.
One of the major changes the Angels have made this offseason was the hiring of new manager Ron Washington. The long-time coach and manager said that everyone on the roster will need to perform if they want to receive playing time. Hicks will need to play like he did in Baltimore if he hopes to see everyday at-bats.