The Angels announced the signing of veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks on a major league deal. Left-hander Kolton Ingram was designated for assignment in a corresponding 40-man roster move. Hicks, a CAA client, previously signed a contract extension with the Yankees, a deal that runs through 2025. The Yanks released him last year and are still on the hook for what’s left, meaning the Angels will only owe the prorated $740K league minimum for any time spent on the roster, with that amount subtracted from what the Yankees pay.
Hicks, 34, had a strong run with the Yankees earlier in his career, performing as an all-around player in the Bronx. From 2017 to 2020, he drew walks in 15.1% of his plate appearances while only striking out at a 20.5% clip. He hit 60 home runs in 338 games, leading to a .247/.362/.457 batting line and a 123 wRC+. He also stole 26 bases and served as the club’s primary center fielder.
It was midway through that stretch, going into 2019, that the Yanks bought into Hicks and signed him to an extension. He was just one year away from free agency at the time but agreed to a seven-year, $70MM pact that was supposed to keep him in the Bronx through 2025. He had already agreed to a $6MM salary for 2019 so the deal added six years and $64MM of new money. That was a relative rarity for the club, as shown on MLBTR’s Contract Tracker. Since February of 2014, that’s one of just three extensions given out by the Yanks, the other two being for Luis Severino and Aroldis Chapman.
Health became an issue in the early parts of that contract. In 2019, he went on the injured list due to a left lower back strain and then again due to a right flexor strain, only playing 59 games that year. In 2020, the pandemic shortened the season to 60 games, with Hicks playing in 54 of them. Then in 2021, a left wrist injury limited him to just 32 contests and poor performance when on the field. The shortened season obviously wasn’t his fault but he nonetheless found himself having been unable to log a normal amount of playing time in three straight seasons.
He was finally able to stay healthy in 2022, getting into 130 contests for the Yanks that year. But he hit just eight home runs in that time and his .216/.330/.313 slash line led to a wRC+ of just 91. He told Dan Martin of The New York Post in September of 2022 that he tried to come back from wrist surgery lean and athletic to stay healthy but that it backfired by sapping his power. His struggles continued in the early parts of the 2023 season, leading the Yankees to release him in May, despite the contract still having another two full guaranteed years.
The Orioles took a shot on Hicks, a move with no real financial risk since the Yanks were stuck holding the bag. Hicks bounced back in Baltimore, hitting seven home runs in 65 games, leading to a .275/.381/.425 slash line and 129 wRC+. He also stole six bases and helped the O’s by slotting into each of the three outfield positions.
That’s still a fairly small sample size of success after more than two years of struggles, but it’s sensible for the Angels to take the risk that he could perform well in the coming season. Hicks is still set to make a salary of $9.5MM both this year and next, then there’s a $1MM buyout on a 2026 club option, but the Yanks will be paying the majority of that. The Halos will only have to pay the prorated portion of the $740K league minimum for any time that Hicks spends on their roster.
For Hicks, money would not have been a factor in signing this deal since his salary is already set. It’s possible that he was attracted to playing his home games in Southern California, as he was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Long Beach. Beyond that, the Angels are at least going to attempt fielding a competitive team this year and could perhaps offer Hicks some decent playing time.
The club’s outfield mix prior to signing Hicks consisted of Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell. Trout is obviously one of the most talented players in the game but durability has started to become a bit of a concern. Thanks to some nagging injuries and the shortened 2020 season, he hasn’t played 120 games in a campaign since 2019. Adding a player capable of playing some center field like Hicks could perhaps help Trout stay healthy as he goes into a season in which he will turn 33 years old.
Ward has only once played 100 games in a season, which was in 2022. Last year, he was limited to 97 contests, his season ending on a scary incident when he was hit in the face by a pitch from Alek Manoah. Moniak seemed to have something of a breakout last year, hitting 14 home runs in 85 games. But he’s likely due for some regression when considering his 2.8% walk rate, 35% strikeout rate and .397 batting average on balls in play. Adell has similar walk and strikeout rates across the past four seasons without the semi-encouraging power surge to go with. Considering that mix, there should be plenty of playing time available to Hicks. The designated hitter slot is also open now that Shohei Ohtani has signed with the Dodgers.
It’s possible that this move bodes particularly poorly for Adell. He has received part-time action in each of the past four campaigns but has hit just .214/.259/.366 while striking out at a 35.4% clip and walking in only 4.8% of his plate appearances. Though he was a 10th overall selection back in 2017, he is now out of options and doesn’t have a clear path to playing time.
As for Ingram, the 27-year-old lefty just made his major league debut last year. He made five appearances for the Angels, allowing five earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. He split the rest of the year between Double-A and Triple-A, tossing 61 innings with a 2.95 ERA and 30.2% strikeout rate, but a 13.3% walk rate. The major league work didn’t go well and the control issues aren’t new for him, but the minor league strikeouts are intriguing and he still has a couple of options remaining. The Angels will now have a week to trade him or try to pass him through waivers.
Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register first reported the Angels were signing Hicks.
At least now we know he cant haunt us in the postseason. As Yankee fans
yes
they despderate
ready to bite your words?
@pohle Your question has more bite than the Angels roster
This probably takes them out of the Adam Duvall chase. With no one else apparently looking at him, how will the Red Sox posture it?
touché, and i was definitely hoping for an OFer closer to bellinger on the free agent spectrum. but the baby angels are exciting, and ill bet on adding another pitcher before the dust settles. hopefully not from the bargain bin, but arte doesnt ever come through when we need him to, so ill finish by saying i have cautious optimism
This tells me the Angels are looking to trade an outfielder for pitching. Either Ward, Moniak or Adell is gone. It’s a low cost move that is smart– even if Hicks winds up being the 4th outfielder and a left handed bat off the bench.
@carla who could the Angels possibly get for either Moniak or Adell? Trading Ward would be a downgrade for the outfield.
Kellin
“Trading Ward would be a downgrade for the outfield.”
It’s ok to downgrade one position to upgrade another.
It’s better than “ok”. It’s good
That’s what I get out of it, too. I’m guessing the Angels FO doesn’t like the price tag for Bellinger or Snell, so they are taking Hicks to be able to flip some outfielders with other players for a SP. Even if they keep working on getting Bellinger or Snell, they now have the leverage to say to Boras that they can walk away at any time.
Cubs thought Angels were the dark horse on Bellinger but don’t seem likely now. Market for Cody is wearing thin now.
HA. None of those guys are worth a single pitcher. All three combined don’t net a pitcher either.
Cody and his agent have overplayed his hand, reportedly turning down 5/160M a few weeks ago. Cody is headed for another 1 year “pillow” contract.
Whaat are you talking about? Last year MLB ranked Taylor Ward as the best LF. He got hit in the face, but this guy is under team control for three more seasons– definite value. Moniak posted really good numbers and played well in the field– he’s a lefthanded CF who can hit and steal bases– great trade value. Adell has the tools to be a success and would obviously have to be part of a package. No one really knows his value– although it is less than the others. BTW… reports at the winter meetings said teams were interested in trading for both Moniak and Ward.
You mean if the Angels moved Trout to Left, signed Bellinger to play CF and let Moniak play right in a platoon with Aaron Hicks they would be downgraded? I think you need to rethink that position.
Or they could be ready to sign Adam Duvall, or waiting for Bellinger’s price to get real. Hicks is there to be the 4th outfielder and possible platoon with Moniak in right. There’s no way Minasian is going to put his job on the line with Adell as a starter. I remind people that Ward had a traumatic injury getting beaned in the face– how is he going to respond? Will he be bailing out on every pitch?
This signing doesn’t lessen the Angels’ need for a big bat and possibly two. Hicks is the 4th outfielder on a $750K deal. He provides great value at that price. They are going to sign either Duvall and Snell, or Bellinger and a Clevinger and Ryu. They would also be able to trade their surplus for pitching. A lot of options on the table. They need 1-2 starters, a corner infielder (Justin Turner) and a center fielder (Bellinger or Duvall). All very obtainable. I expect another signing this week– most likely their infield/dh need. Turner would fill both very nicely.
@cf I just don’t see this as a reason to trade any of the outfielders. He’s pretty much a minor leaguer at this point. Drury can play the corner outfield spots in a pinch with moniak playing center. It’s a weird signing.
I will agree that Taylor Ward is a good player, who I personally think, hasn’t reached his full potential yet. Adell on the other hand, I think is a bust unfortunately. The Padres should have already signed Hicks. Good job Angels.
He wasn’t terrible last year in the minors until he got hurt, I agree it’s not promising but I don’t understand blocking him when he’s out of options.
Your forgetting the Angel’s also need a DH. Hicks will also rotate off the bench as the 4th outfielder but the Angel’s have nothing to offer in a trade except 1 aging centerfielder who still has a chance to win a world series( just not with the Angel’s)
It might be signaling that Nolan schanuel gets sent down for a bit, rengifo could play 2nd, with Thaiss/ drury rotating at 1st. Was wondering why they were stockpiling 1st baseman. They still need a 3rd baseman for when Rendon hits the dl
Why would the Angels be even remotely interested in Snell when they won’t be in contention for several years?
It’s exactly the kind of player and contract a team in their position avoids—even the Mets appear to know that, and they’re a lot closer to contending than the Angels.
If the Angels play Trout anywhere but DH, they’re even more foolish than they look.
And they look pretty foolish.
Mickey Moniak is Travis Jankowski is Keon Broxton is Juan Lagares is Alejandro De Aza is Jake Marisnick is Darren Bragg is Rich Becker is Gary Thomasson is Chris Coghlan is Marvin Benard is George Theodore is Dave Gallagher is Jim Qualls, to name a few.
When you’ve seen one marginal decent-fielding, light-hitting 5th outfielder, you’ve seen ‘em all.
No player of this ilk will fetch very much in a trade.
Moniak hit .280 14 hr 2.2 war in around 330 at bats. Someone would take him. Orioles got bradish for bundy.
Crap. The guy’s a lifetime .239 hitter with 18 homers. Last year was a statistical outlier.
Last year was the first time he had consistent playing time. Hasn’t played enough to even look into his lifetime numbers was a #1 pick. He has value.
When the Orioles got Bradish the scouting report from baseball america said “Bradish doesn’t have the velocity or command to start but has a tick of promise as a potential reliever.”
He was a lottery ticket that worked out. I wouldn’t count on getting anything other than lottery tickets back for Moniak
We got moniak for syndergaard, so at this point it doesn’t matter. Just pointing out that you win trades. He’s not going to get the angels the Holliday, but he can get be a part of a package for a upgrade. He has red flags, but had a decent year. Betts was traded for verdugo I could go on and on.
@kellin: I think his name is Carl.
@Rexhudler86: Every team wins some trades and loses others, and life goes on.
Here here. Rockies V Halos. Halos win it in 5. Otahni is caught on camera @ game 5 in halos hat. Mike Trout is caught gesturing “suck it” to Otahni. What a moment.
not gonna happen
“He can’t haunt us”….The Yankees and their fans obsess, fixate and always worry what their former players are doing. Living your life in the rear view mirror is no way to live and why not let former players move on and you move on too. This sort of media, fan and team obsession might be part of the reason why the Yankees seemingly consistently under perform their talent level.
It’s not that deep. No reason to be triggered.
C’mon, every fan does this. It’s how we evaluate their decision making ability. No team wants someone they let go come back to play well for another team against them. That’s why you don’t see intra-divisional trades often.
Erm, I had no such worry.
Breaking news: the Yankees were not in the postseason. Just like the Angels.
Mike and Aaron were on their coaches eating Lays chips and watching other people play in October just the same.
Yanksfan1030: Nobody can haunt you in the postseason unless the Yankees make it to the postseason.
Don’t assume they will just because they’re the Yankees.
And if the Angels don’t end up being competitive, they can still swap Hicks and his minimum contract to a contender at the trade deadline.
Just hide the golf clubs.
Why did Baltimore drop him?
They can easily trade him to a contender if he does well…or are you just suggesting that the Yankees won’t make the playoffs again?
They might not.
Yes, the Mets might not.
The Mets might not and the Yankees might not. Both have multiple better teams in their divisions.
Truth hurts, eh Captain?
I believe the Angels will do better without Ohtani than with him. This is no knock on Ohtani, but baseball is still a team game and relying so heavily and building your team around one guy just won’t work in MLB.
In all fairness to the Angels, they made an attempt last year to improve the team’s floor. The strategy initially worked as they were in the WC picture for the first 100 games, but eventually succumbed to a mountain injuries. There is some upside potential in the rotation, infield and at catcher so perhaps things aren’t as bleak as they seem.
“In all fairness”..Effort is nice but the current owners are completely inept at team building and most everything they do ends up blowing up in their face. They got a windfall with Ohtani and look how poorly that turned out. Practically any other team in MLB would have been more successful with Ohtani than were the Anaheim Angels.
I’m not a fan of Moreno or Minasian but last year’s collapse was related to injuries to the lineup. The Angels led the majors in games missed due to injuries.
“Led the majors in games missed”…There is always excuses and reasons for everything. How would you explain the Angel’s failures over the last 8+ years or even just the Ohtani years?..The Dodgers & Astros had even worse injuries(Their injured players are actually good)and the Dodgers won 100+ gms and the Astros made the playoffs.
That’s not an excuse. If you look at it quantitatively, injuries were a primary reason for their record, and releasing 25% of the roster in September.
“That’s not an excuse”…Cmon bro. A bunch of AAAA players get injured and that explains the Angels last 8+ years of futility?…Injuries happen every year and are part of the game. Teams are supposed to build out sufficient depth so the yearly, predictable loss of Trout doesn’t result in a AAAA player taking his place on the field.
Between the off-season acquisitions and mid-season trades the Angels acquired Drury, Estevez, Moore, Anderson, Urshela, Renfroe, Giolito, Escobar (Eduardo) and Moustakas. To me, that looks like a clear attempt to build depth.
“Off season acquisitions”…Many of those guys were acquired, mid season, when it was already too little, too late. The methodology and secret to building team depth, is to do it in the off-season and before it’s too late and the ship is already taking on water.
The first 6 names I listed were all acquired in the off-season. Injuries and bad performance often require changes to the roster. Thats why waiver claims, trades, major and minor league signings are all permitted in season.
“The first 6 names”..I notice you never addressed the rest of the 8+ years the Angels have underperformed. It’s all due to “injuries”, right? So, long time successful teams(Braves, Dodgers, Rays, Astros)never have “injuries”?..Only the Angels have yearly injury problems, right? Teams that buy into this are programming themselves for failure, because it’s never their fault and they never need to alter anything in their process. Injuries are the only reason they’re stagnant over a near decade period.
Yes injuries have played a big role. Ohtani missed almost two seasons to Tommy John surgery and Rendon has been injured for 3 years playing only a minimum number of games. So yes, injuries have played a role in the Angels “misfortune” as a team.
Yep, beach time!
Key players getting hurt and players that they were counting on, not performing close to even their career averages. Not having a deep enough team to sustain those injuries all culminated in losing season after losing season. They also went away from the gritty teams that they had back in the 2,000’s
mlb fan – If you look the Angels WHERE still in it at the trade deadline. You where right about the added and promoted players getting hurt but with the exeption of 2 pitchers EVERY SINGLE PLAYER HIT THE INJURED LIST THAT WAS ON THE OPENING DAY ROSTER. This was not a rash of injuries it was a tidal wave. NO team EVER has that much MLB depth as you indicated they have should have had.
MLB fan. The injuries can only be used to promote optimism, nothing more.
If a fan can’t inmagine “what if?”, then what’s the point?
I thought the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023 were pretty good and competitive for the Angels. But it feels like they’re so far away… I’d have to consider a tear down.
It doesn’t matter how much you plan, Trout’s production won’t be replaced by someone on the bench, or stashed in the minors.
Spell it “were,” not “where.” Two diffetent words. It’ll make your take read much easier.
Luck is a part of the game. No one here is arguing only the Angels suffer injuries. In fact, to show how much injuries hurt the Astros they were just two games ahead of the Angels at the end of June.
@MLB, when did Trout and Ohtani become AAAA players??
Yes teams are supposed to have depth, but few can salvage a season losing both of their top 2 players.
The O’s are solid enough with a lot of talented youth, and are better off supplementing with as much pitching depth as they can find.
They were on a good run and were challenging for the last playoff spot, when Ward was heating up and in the middle of the lineup when he got hit in the head by one of the teams they were chasing for the last playoff spot. Coincidence, but that’s when everything fell apart and they had their late season crash.
In all fairness they did not address their longstanding pitching deficit in a serious way. Substantial pitchers were available and we chose to sign a soft tossing lefty for cheap money. It was pathetic. Boras knows the Angels need Snell or Montgomery in a big way and he may come down on his ask, but he’s not going to give them away.
Team strength and depth is built on resource allocation. You want to expend resources on assets that provide strength and stability for your organization.
However we want to get cute and play the blame game, the Angels banked on Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon to provide that strength and stability. They have been the top 2 resources that have received the most allocation of funds.
In the past 3 seasons (since Covid), Trout played in 237 / 486 games. Rendon played in 148 / 486 games.
The Angels resources have not gone to players who can provide strength nor stability as they’re most often not out there. The team is in constant Plan B mode. There’s your problem.
That’s incorrect. The Dodgers (2,426)lead baseball in games lost to the IL. The Angels (2,346)lost the most in the AL. The Giants had the most placements, at 46.
Moronic. Just off the surface, you lost an ace rotation pitcher and 40+ homeruns per season. The angels haven’t even come CLOSE to replacing those numbers.
@Better
Wait but someone earlier in the thread said that the Angels will be better without Ohtani. lol. Most teams are better off after a generational talent leaves in FA for nothing.
So I guess replacing the dingers and TOR really aren’t important.
Wait… Did the Orioles let him go? Or did they only sign him for the reminder of 2024?
Yankees ate contract. O’s just had him last year as a mid-season pickup.
Orioles only had him for 2023
The Orioles signed him for 1 year after the Yankees released him. The Yankees had him signed through 2025 with a team option for 2026.
Any team that signs Hicks essentially gets him for free this year and next year, but they’re unlikely to sign him for more than a year at this point.
I had the same question. Did Hicks automatically become a free agent at the end of Baltimore’s 2023 season? Or did the Orioles choose to waive Hicks to clear a roster spot?
This is all more complex and interesting than I initially realized. Didn’t realize exactly how all this works
Any team that signs Hicks to an MLB contract has to pay him at least the league minimum. After the Yankees released Hicks in 2023, the remainder of Hicks contract remained guaranteed. Anything Hicks didn’t earn with a new team (up to that guarantee) must be paid by the Yankees.
2019 – $8MM
2020 – $10.5MM
2021 – $10.5MM
2022 – $10.5MM
2023 – $10.5MM
2024 – $9.5MM
2025 – $9.5MM
2026 – $12.5MM opt, $1MM buyout
Once Hicks was released, any team could sign him as a free agent in 2023. Any team who signs Hicks MUST pay him out of their own pocket at least the league minimum. Hicks’s total guarantee is still in effect, meaning the Yankees have to eat the balance.
2023 – Orioles $720k ($500k pro-rated), Yankees $10.0MM
2024 – Angels $740k, Yankees $8.8MM = $9.5MM Hicks
2025 – MLB Team $760k, Yankees $8.8MM = $9.5MM Hicks
or 2025 – MLB Team $5MM, Yankees $4.5MM = $9.5MM Hicks
There’s no reason for any MLB team to offer Hicks more than league minimum. If they do, it only changes who writes the check. If the Angels signed Hicks to $5MM, for example, Hicks would get the same pay, just less of the pay would come from the Yankees.
He was granted free agency on Nov. 2, 2023.
Yes, when his 1 year contract with the Orioles expired, like every other expiring contract free agent in MLB like Shohei Ohtani or Blake Snell.
Writing it as he was “granted free agency” is misleading as the Orioles had no choice in the matter.
Interesting. The price is right but that injury history is scary.
He gets injured while on the injured list
So we bought Rendon a buddy.
Hicks wants to play, Rendon doesn’t.
Yeah I have to agree. Rendon doesn’t seem like he has any interest in actually playing baseball
Rendon’s 2019 was an MVP-caliber season. Indeed, he was the MVP on the team that won the World Series. For seven years, he played hardnosed defense, mostly at 3B, replacing an injured Ryan Zimmerman, and hit .290 with an amazing knack for clutch and surprising power (.859 OPS). He was like a cyborg all-star, saying little and never complaining. Then he signs a huge multi-year free-agent deal, moves to LA, and becomes an absolute bum. Injuries, yes, but it feels like he brought the ugly karma onto himself. My favorite was him getting into an altercation with a fan. Some things defy logic. Ant, what happened???
Tea leaves…Does this mean Duval to the Red Sox and Angels shifting more cash for Snell signing?
The Angels are the classic “we are going to bail Boras out” team.. Boras is 100% counting on them giving Snell like 8 years $230 million. Boras always finds his one sucker.
“One sucker”..True that. Boras is fairly good at creating “competition” for his clients services even when there’s very little. It’s all about finding that one sucker to drastically overpay.
That was the Nationals for a long time.
Arte rarely does business with Boras after the Texiera negotiations were done in bad faith.
The Weaver extension and Rendon albatross are about it other than some one year deals like Harvey.
Count the Angels out. Snell is a pitcher. The last time they signed a pitcher for five years was CJ Wilson in 2011. Even three-years is a hard stretch these days.
Plus the Diamond Sports money ends after 2024 unless something changes.
It feels inevitable that they’ll get Chapman or Snell on big $$$, they fall off a cliff the 2nd year of the deal , rinse and repeat
I repeat NO mlb team is giving Snell 8 yrs period! The guy will be 32 in 2024 so who in their right mind giving a pitcher who rarely pitches past 5 innings $30 million or more than 5/6 yrs? Don’t let the 2 Cy Young awards cloud your judgement.
Agreed. OVERRATED!
I’m not saying otherwise but you underestimate the power of Anaheim stupidity
Angels don’t seem to be the right patsy for a long term deal on a pitcher. This is still the same front office that has refused to go past 3 years on a starting pitcher, is it not?
It doesn’t mean that at all. Hicks is their 4th outfielder who can play CF and who could also platoon with Moniak or Adell in right. I believe the Angels will sign Duvall if they are going after Snell. If the Angels want Bellinger they don’t sign Duvall and instead sign less costly pitchers like Ryu and Clevinger to upgrade the rotation. The infield/DH addition could be Justin Turner, Tim Anderson, Martinez– but there are going to be significant additions and I believe a trade.
The Angels know quality when they see it!!!
Hicks was pretty good for the Orioles, I was content and I hope AA Ron has continued success
Ask yourself this. Then why didn’t the Orioles want him back for basically nothing? Cause they didn’t believe in his 2023.
I don’t know about that, they have a ton of Outfielders!
Without the Cedric Mullens injury, Hicks probably never goes to Baltimore in the first place. It’s not that surprising the Birds moved on from him.
The Orioles don’t want him back because they already have a crowded outfield mix. There’s no sense signing a guy like Hicks when you have to play Hays, Mullins, Santander, Cowser, Kjerstad and McKenna in the OF. Hicks fell into our lap last year when Mullins went down with a groin injury. He was solid, but ultimately expendable. It would make zero sense to block playing time for our other outfielders.
The Orioles may have wanted him back but he was a free agent and free to sign where he wants. He may have picked the Angels over the Orioles because he would have the opportunity for more playing time and he grew up in LA.
Os you need to get your facts straight.
He was NOT a free agent in the typical sense. The Orioles non tendered him, but the Yankees are still on the hook for his 2024 salary.
So whomever he was going to play for only has to pay the MLB minimum salary.
He did not choose the O’s over the Angels. The O’s didn’t want him.
Orioles going for it in 24 with youth movement? If so, I’m anticipating regression in number of wins. Older inventory like Hicks, Frazier and Gibson brought in for 23 have not been replaced so far with off season signings. I like it! Let’s see if guys like Cowser and Hall and Westburg and other noted prospects can be impactful season long.
AngelsFan – Where are you getting the information about the Os non-tendering him. The contract he signed with the Os ended at the end of the season. He would have had to choose to resign with the Orioles if the Orioles wanted him back.
No he had only signed a 2023 contract with Baltimore. He was a FA at year end.
Gibson is replaced by Means back from IL late in 2023.
Frazier is replaced by one if the numerous infield prospects. He was good at putting the ball in play in clutch moments but production nosedive in 2nd half. Westbury did better and likely replaces him.
Hicks wouldn’t have been on the Os if Cowser was on minors IL at the time. He did good but Cowser and Kjstad will replace him at least providing injury coverage if not a longer audition for full time 2025 roles.
Means is back and hopefully healthy all year but but he is not replacing Gibson. That innings eater role looks like will fall to Kremer.
Disagree on Cowser. He was given plenty of opportunity to perform and vastly underperformed. Looked like the bright lights of “the show” were too bright on his first go around. Thank goodness Elias brought in a Hicks.
Frazier is not being replaced by the prospects. FO has not brought in any vet position player to fill his role. Maybe they will. Still some off season left, we’ll see. All said, looks like Elias is going with the kids! Cool … and fingers crossed.
@Jeff
You’re right. It was actually a blessing that Cowser was hurt. Hicks was great but I think he knew it was time to move on.
There’s too many young guys that would push him for PT here. I’m not sold on Cowser being a solid major leaguer. I don’t really see enough AB’s being available without an injury to find out either. He & Ortiz are the 2 guys I’m using as trade chips.
Strow, agreed. Cowser and Ortiz definitely tradeable … and I’d throw Stowers in there too.
Switching gears. Intrigued to see how catcher position dynamic unfolds for the Birds. McCaan is UFA next year. And in 2021, the FO invested 2.3 million in the position (Basello 1.3 and 8th rounder Creed Willems at a huge 1 mil overslot). Personally I hope Willems prevails. All of 6′ nothing at 2 and a quarter, he’s got that Pudge and Molina brothers build. No offense to Adley, McCaan, Sammy or Matt W but durability over long haul seems favorable to the low to the ground guys.
You assume it was the Orioles not wanting him back, not Hicks wanting more opportunity than the Orioles could give him.
Cedric Mullins was injured so the O’s picked up Hicks cheap.
I don’t think Adell or Moniak will work out, but I believe they both deserve one last shot. I don’t believe either will ever control the strike zone, but they both have talent. That’s plan “A”.
Now with a lot of ABs available at DH, and as a backup outfielder, and a plan “B”, I like this move.
What I like most is there is now NOT a spot for Bellinger. No way can someone who doesn’t walk and doesn’t hit the ball hard can be worth anywhere near what he’s asking.
That sure is a 180, Halo, from you bashing me and others saying Adell isn’t gonna make it. You defended him and insulted us through the discussions.
Welp, Welcome aboard.
Thinking a prospect isn’t going to make it vs giving up on a prospect are two different things.
I still bash the people giving up on him. Just like I bashed the people giving up on his defense two years ago. It was just silly.
There comes a time to cut bait. But it isn’t here yet.
Hicks will be making league minimum—this is close to a MiLB deal. I don’t think this signing impacts a potential Bellinger signing. Hicks could easily be DFA’d to free up a spot.
Minasian didn’t hesitate to outright Adam Kolarek or DFA Alfonso Rivas after signing them to free up 40-man roster spots.
I hope it does.
And the Angels typically don’t sign these type players without a good faith effort to keep a spot open for them.
That’s why I have such an issue with so many of these signings.
Pleasac will have a legitimate shot of beating out Silseth, which scares me because it means they will not add a pitcher that will force Pleasac to beat out Anderson.
Not to mention another OF could be traded. They’re still 2 bats and a frontline SP away from contending. Hicks better be a 4th OF.
Hicks will be paid 9.5 mill… just angels will pay the min, with yanks paying the rest. The best type of FA.
Adell is in the same boat Jim Edmonds was going into his age 25 season, although Jimmy was a far better defender. What year was his age 25 season? 1995. Big reason his heroics aren’t getting him into the Hall of Fame. Broke out too late. Moniak is also up in the air but .280 and 14 HR’s in something like 80 games gives him a longer leash. That OBP just needs to separate itself more from his BA.
Front offices are typically not dumb. That K and BB ratio may be missed by fans, but not by the front office,
The BABIP for Moniak was third in all of baseball, if/when that normalizes, unless he greatly improves those K to BB ratios, he’s unplayable.
Fans don’t look that deep, but front offices do.
Gallo got signed, so maybe there’s hope
teams were interested, in moniak, adell, ward, rengifo, and Thaiss or atleast checking in on them. Maybe angels were floating them in packages for a pitcher.
Deserve has nothing to do with this. These are professionals being paid to perform. I want real players we can count on. With this signing and possibly Bellenger on the horizon– the Angels are going to trade outfield depth for pitching– has to be in the works.
Moniak has that dawg in him. I have more faith.
Perhaps this means an Adell trade is on the horizon. Someone’s gotta go and I think Adell is less valuable than Moniak.
Except for someone else on the 40 man roster, No one has to go.
Hicks got 200 ABs last year. It’s not like he is expected to double that.
By “go” I mean off the 40 man…
It’s stupid to trade Adell today.
Doesn’t have to be an outfielder. Could easily be someone like Michael Stefanic or Austin Warren that goes off the 40-man roster.
Orange, you are right, they are not related. Warren is a good guess.
They’ll pray Adell looks good this Spring so they can trade him before setting the Opening Day roster.
What if they can trade Sandoval, Adell and a couple of minor leaguers for Dylan Cease? The Angels aren’t keeping all of these guys. Moniak has produced and Adell has not. His 40% K -rate and .260 on base are horrible. How can we count on this kid?
Kolton Ingram was the odd man out this time… Austin Warren lives to see another day.
In AAA, from 2022 to 2023 Adell cut his K rate from 31 percent to 26 percent and almost doubled his walk rate.
But if he strikes out over 35 percent of the time and walks less than 3 percent of the time, like Moniak, it will be time to cut bait.
The people who are looking at Moniak and expect him to be serviceable without massive improvements are crazy.
I think Adell has a much better chance than Moniak. And unless they both make improvements, neither has a chance.
I don’t know if I’d trade three years of Sandoval and four years of Adell for two years of Cease.
But I’ve never been a fan of fly ball pitchers who can’t throw strikes. A RH, fly ball pitcher who can’t throw strikes in Anaheim is going to suck.
And people ask why I don’t trust Estevez?
Orange, someone has to go. Those 40 man roster spots are valuable.
If you offered the whole Angels Farm system for Cease they’d say No Thanks.
It would take Sandoval, Rengifo, Ward plus prospects to land Dylan Cease with what the White Sox are asking for. No thanks.
Maybe. But the White Sox are the White Sox for a reason. And if the Angels offered something for Cease, that would make them the Angels for a reason.
A RH flyball pitcher who can’t throw strikes would stink in Anaheim.
I agree on Estevez. Maybe they are in play for Cleveland’s closer? Sandoval doesn’t win. Sandoval wears out the pen. Throws too many pitches. He’s not a rookie– this is his SIXTH season. He’s only won 17 games over his 5-year career. I would trade him in a second for two-years of Cease. Sign Snell and add Cease and suddenly this team looks radically different. Silseth, Detmers and Canning rounding out the rotation would be solid. As for Adell– they’ve completely mishandled this kid, but if you’re Minasian are you banking your job on his 40%K-rate and .260 on base? He doesn’t hit lefties particularly well so far, so where does he fit in? Hicks is now the 4th outfielder. Is Adell better than Moniak? Ward?
But if they offered Sandoval, Adell and two prospects on top, that gives the Sox a replacement major league pitcher, the upside of Adell and then other significant prospects. I’m not sure that they would prefer the uncertainty of just prospects.
Sandoval, Adell, and prospects is more likely than Regnifo. But Regnifo is replaceable. Frontline pitchers are difficult to obtain. Get the pitching.
What for?
Hicks actually has his clutch post season moments although they’re few and far between
Hicks hits lefties really well. Neither Moniak or Adell hit them at all.
A switch hitter is always nice to have on the bench.
He’s costing minimum wage.
Likely not in that order
Yes. And he can play cf– he’s a good defender. He’s a great 4th outfielder for this team. My guess is they are trading Ward and or Adell for pitching. Possibly the Marlins.
@carl
Cease price is very high, and reportedly they are willing to wait it out. Yeah maybe the Indians or marlins.
Heard him mentioned as an option by a lot of Padres fans.
Where are those fans?
The Jankowski,Hicks and Profar fans.
Who are the options now?
Everyday, the Pads lose out or rather bow out on options.
He was an option obviously preller decided he wasn’t the one. Or he liked being in angle more since it wasn’t about what he was going to be paid.
Padres may go with Taylor or they may ride with Marsee.
None of these guys moved the needle much either way. They could be working on a trade as well.
I’m really thinking the Peter Seidler children have restricted any more major league signings for Preller.
Hicks to Padres seemed like a no brainer with no risk, even if the plan was to let the kids play now, or part way through the season.
Either Hicks didn’t want SD, unlikely with the talent they have and a chance to be a starter, or Preller has no purse strings left which is terrible for the game and city of San diego.
You think Peter’s 5 year old kid is making decisions.
What?
Assuming he’ll mostly be the Angels’ 4th OF and platoon some with Moniak, while start on days that Trout is DH.
The Angels are kind of like a buyer of livestock at the State Fair. He waits around and after all the good animals get bought, He just scoops in and buys whatever is left. Then makes hamburger out of them.
Hamburger isn’t steak, but they’re not the worst thing you could eat on cow.
Definitely. Id rather have hamburger than liver, offal, sweetbreads, mountain oysters..
Nevertheless, liver is a nutrient dense superfood. Possibly one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
I expected him to end up in Houston. The guy was pretty solid for Baltimore.
I can’t argue with the price. I think he’ll produce a league average OPS, but he’s been a poor CF defensively since 2018. Hicks only nominally moves the needle for the Angels
Fore 🙂 think Angels will let him play golf?
If 13 other teams sign Hicks after the Angels let him go, does that reduce the Yankees bill by 13 X $740K Probably not,
I guess the Angels are planning to eat a bunch of Trout’s contract and move him soon.
You should stop guessing. It shows how little you know about the Angels.
@Halo11Fan
The writing is on the wall.
OldYork
Apparently you are reading the wrong wall. Trout isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
I can’t even say this was a good try at stirring things up because only you thinks it may be plausible.
@AngelsFan1972
I guess I upset an Angels fan.
OldYork
That’s what is funny. The fact you think you upset anyone. Only you believe the bs you write.
@old york pretty sure we just laugh at the suggestion that Trout is going anywhere. At least, I do.
@AngelsFan1972
You’re the one reacting to my post. Why would you even post? I’m not upset at all. I’m just defending my logical perspective.
@kellin
Okay… enjoy laughing. It’s great for your health.
OY
“I guess I upset an Angels fan.”
Just what you intended to do
There’s a word for people like that
Sad when you can’t think of anything smart to comment to get attention, so you just say dumb things
@filihok
And that word would be? I’m here to give my opinion. Is there something wrong with that? Are you still trying to figure out basic economics? Is that hard?
@filhok, He’s a troll. How many post will he write to himself.
OY
“Troll” would be the word
Since you brought it up
Why would a company not charge the highest price the market would bear until their costs went up?
Explain that to me Economics Guru
@Halo11Fan
Why would you suggest I’m a troll? I’m presenting my opinion on the matter.
HA!
@filihok
They do, which was my original point. Pretty basic economic theory.
OY
Then why your comment sent MiLB prices looking like MLB prices if teams keep offering deals like the Tigers did?
@filihok
Clearly, you’re completely misunderstood and took the post out of context. No surprise, given the history of conversations I’ve had with you.
Old York
So I am not allowed to comment on a comment?
Are you so self righteous that no one can disagree with you?
I am willing to bet that if we were to poll commentors on here I would get 75% positive reaction to my statement that Trout is no going anywhere anytime soon.
@AngelsFan1972
No, but I’m allowed to defend myself when people make false allegations about my intentions.
Old York
What false allegation did I make about your post?
And where is your proof that the Angels are ready to eat Trouts contract and move on? There is nothing factual about you comment.
@AngelsFan1972
You wrote:
“I can’t even say this was a good try at stirring things up because only you thinks it may be plausible.”
Old York
Apparently I hurt your feelings. I apologize.
The next time I mock a comment made without any facts to back it up I will be more mindful of the hard work put in behinds the scenes to dream up such an insanely non-fact based comment.
AngelFan72.
It makes my heart sing that we can agree on something.
Halo11Fan
the end is near
lol
You didn’t hurt any feelings. I thought we were having a conversation and I defended my position. That’s called debate.
OY
For like the tenth time
Please school me
If teams can only charge what the market will bear, if more MLB teams sign deals like the recent Tigers deal, why will that lead to MiLB tickets being priced like MLB ones.
Explain to me in the most complete, yet, simplest terms that you can.
Attempt to enlighten me.
OY
Defend your position regarding the economics of baseball and MiLB teams pricing themselves like MLB teams
If you could answer whether companies eat all their costs then you’ll answer your question. Sadly, you don’t want to do so… I guess because you’d find out what I know.
The only way the Angels trade Trout is if he has a big year and the team tanks again– then you’ll see them unload everyone at the trade deadline. That would be the time to move Trout– if he’s got 30 homers and playing well, maybe Philly makes the Angels an offer they can’t refuse and Trout wants to leave if they are mired in 4th again in July.
Philly might be one of the very few places Trout may wave his NTC for. Even then, he seems pretty content spending the rest of his career in an Angels uniform, even if they are only a .430-.450 W% team.
If Trout is healthy and having a big year, there’s a pretty good chance that the Angels will be winning and will want to keep him.
Trout has a full no trade clause and he’s shown he’s not to interested in waving it. The Angels could eat 100% of his remaining salary and inlcude Nolan Schanuel, Zach Neto, and Patrick Sandoval for the hell of it, but it would still come down to Mike apporving of the deal, which seems extremely unlikely.
@mlb1225
I think it’s possible. He’s guaranteed the money no matter what happens. Why not take the chance to join a club to play in the playoffs?
Maybe he wants to stay in LA? Him waving his NTC seems unlikely at best given his previous statements. Opinions can change and nothing is 100% certain, but nothing suggests he’d wave it right now.
Not the power bat we needed
I don’t mind it.
Make the outfielders compete, So far Adell is far from advertised. Moniak is on again off again, Maybe if they are pushed, one or both find that missing element.
I’m surprised there are still Jo Adell true believers out there. I’ve rooted for him as much as the next guy, but the bottom line is he is down to having spring training to prove himself, or he’ll be elsewhere before opening day.
True believer is not quite accurate. You are not running for office. Why exaggerate?
As long as I see major strides, he’s got a chance. He made major strides at AAA last year, he’s shown he’s coachable and does learn.
Since the Angels are not likely to compete, they would be wise to see if he can make more strides. It’s going to be harder, because he no longer has options and those strides have to be at the major league level.
You also have Marisnick in camp on a minors deal. Hits lefties better, and provides way above average defense and speed. It does make me think a trade is in the works. Moreno and Miniasian tend to prefer veterans, and maybe Washington would prefer veterans, to try and compete this year. Just a thought.
Bottom line is there is going to be competition and some one needs to rise to the top.
I hope it’s one or both the kids.
The Orioles are basically telling you they didn’t believe much in his 2023 and know he is the same Aaron Hicks of the last several years outside of those two months. Even for nothing there isn’t much of a market for a 34 year old OFer with below average defense who has always been injured. He is just a body.
Maybe. You might be right, but I think Cowser and Kjerstad on the roster is just making it hard to fit Hicks more than anything.
I think this is a sensible signing for the Angels. Costs them nothing, gives them a ML bat. They’ll still suck, but there’s no real downside here.
Not necessarily. Hicks is from LA so he may have just chosen the Angels over the Orioles to be close to home. Additionally, he is likely to get more playing time with the Angels than the Orioles so that may also play a role.
@deej
I don’t know that what the Orioles are “basically telling you” is centered around Hicks rather than they’re desire to give their youth playing time. 129 WRC+ was a welcome gift from the Bronx when Cedric Mullins went down. I wish him all the best, once he took off his pinstripes — I could see the person again and in any reports I read, he was a great teammate and enjoyed his time in Baltimore with the youngsters.
Long term, I don’t disagree that he’s really been plagued by injury but that bat for league min is certain not a bad add for a team needing some proven offense.
He’s no HOFer but is more than just minor league filler or “just a body”.
It’s Hicks decision, not the Orioles. Orioles don’t have the playing time he would like. Simple.
I am well aware that there’s a very good chance he struggles to hit around .200 with a 0.1 WAR over 35 games appeared in and is released by the middle of June.
And I am well aware that the greater likelihood is that he scuffles to like a .225 BA/10 HR/42 RBI season with about a 1.6 WAR over about 130 games, at best,
That said, I think Hicks is always quietly a threat to over perform (hence why he got that extension in the first place) and it’d be pretty hilarious and not entirely shocking if he came barreling out of the 2024 season with a batting line somewhere in the vicinity of. 315 BA/23 HR/77 RBI season over closer to 138 games, with about 6.1 WAR.
**I think the most likely scenario is somewhere between those three:
.251 BA
.363 OBP,
13 HR
56 RBI
2.6 WAR over 122 games
Pedestrian but serviceable
TTO
I don’t know about the exact numbers so much, but you’re on the right track
The Angels are (quite) fringe contenders. They aren’t signing any difference making free agents (Maybe Snell). So, to get over the edge into the playoffs, they need variance
Hicks might be useless, but he’s one of the best bets to actually be good.
Risk/reward.
Exactly. There’s this class of player, primarily exemplified by Hicks and Buxton- I wish I could think of a few others like them- where they get on base and make productive hits with high slugging percentages, etc. for these small but effective windows so that they never actually produce more than 4 or 5 WAR, but they play like any year they’re gonna keep it together and give their team a 10 WAR season or play like a 12 WAR player in the post season and do some Carlos Beltran circa 2004 miracle production at the exact perfect moment.
Hence how he might be useless, but is one of the best bets to actually be good- very very good-
I love guys like Hicks where the stat analysts will point out that they’re actually number 1 or number 2 or something in all of baseball for something like base on balls or for the ratio of highest number of pitches per AB against how often they convert that into getting on base, etc. and that makes them the most valuable and effective player in that regard, despite otherwise fairly pedestrian to underwhelming overall numbers and a relatively quiet presence in the lineup.
It’s a low risk move, other than juggling the 40 man roster. They are not on the hook for his bloated salary so they can dump him if he does not perform. That said, it’s not exactly the move Anaheim needed to make to improve their everyday line up.
Aaron Hicks was a nice gift to the Orioles by the Yankees. 🙂
In all fairness, he definitely provided quality outfield play to the Orioles after difficult few years in NY.
Great another Punch and Judy hitter that can’t crack .250 Do the angels actually look at batting averages or just the war. Analytics has obliterated the sport.
s_r
“Do the angels actually look at batting averages or just the war. Analytics has obliterated the sport.”
The taeks! It’s so hot that it burns
Why should a team look at a relatively unimportant component of hitting instead of a player’s total performance?
From that MLBTR article earlier Hicks wasn’t a guy I had high on my bingo card to go yet, but paying basically nothing for him actually makes him a decent commodity. Not that I think much of him, but from this is slants right for the Angels.
Solid move. Nothing to lose.
My projections:
PA: 500
BA: 0.225
OBP: 0.329
BB: 65
H: 98
HR: 15
Sounds about right.
I am of the opinion that he was healing from the sheath reconstruction when he was released by the Yankees and that he’s actually in much better shape than was assumed when they released him.
I think he’s got a couple years or more left in the tank and could return basically to his old traditional form, what was expected out of him and what he typically produced when (relatively) healthy.
He’ll never get 500ABs– he will be their 4th outfielder. Angels will sign either Adam Duvall or Bellinger and move Trout to left.
I doubt they’ll sign Duvall now that they’ve signed Hicks.
Surprised he had to settle for a minor league deal after he was pretty good with the O’s
Angels signed Hicks for the major league minimum, hence a major league contract. Yankees signed him thru 2025 and are on the hook otherwise.
I was just being mean to the Angels for no real reason
He would get paid the same regardless. If another team offered him more money then he would get less money from the Yankees. He picked the Angels likely because he is from LA and will have a chance to play there.
Just to be nasty, the new team signs the player for $740K more than the Yankees were paying him. Still costs them $740K but now Yanks are on the hook for the full amount.
Stymeedome- That’s not how that works. That would actually let the yanks completely off the hook.
Lmao don’t let Stymee sign players!
Solid platoon partner for Moniak.
In albeit a small sample size of 74 PA’s, Hicks batted .349/.446/.524 vs lefties last year, and has career numbers vs LHP of .253/.334/.424.
Moniak can’t hit lefties but crushes RHP., so perhaps this will allow Wash to limit Moniak’s exposure.
This makes the most sense out of all the conjecture, and the fact that he’s so cheap.
Congrats @Trumbo!
As a yankee fan I am surprised he didn’t get signed a lot sooner
Seems like many teams are mis managed
For the league min., he most likely had his suitors after his O’s ’23 showcase. Hicks was waiting for the best fit.
WHY ARE THEY SIGNING OLD PEOPLE
wow
“WHY ARE THEY SIGNING OLD PEOPLE”
Because…excuse me… BECAUSE MLB DOESN’T ALLOW MOST YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE SIGNED
I SEE DEAD PEOPLE
Considering that this was one of those very rare instances of a free agent signing where money offered wasn’t a factor, it’s entirely possible that the Orioles and other teams also offered Hicks league minimum but Hicks preferred to be in SoCal and/or the Angels gave him the best playing time assurances.
It seemed like a foregone conclusion a team who is trying to be serviceable would sign Hicks. He’s not the type of player you want to rely on to lead a team into the playoffs, but he’s probably fine as an inexpensive backup with the Yankees on the hook for everything through 2025.
Plenty of red flags backing up the actual triple slash Hicks had with the Orioles, but a team just looking to trudge through the season hoping for .500 could do worse for the MLB minimum.
Oh lordy
The taeks are gonna be so ho…dumb. So dumb
Dodgers should ask about Trout.
@Old York
The Dodgers don’t ask. They just take, and then kick sand in the face of the scrawny boyfriend.
lol
True enough. Let’s hope they take Trout and bring him a WS ring in 2024 and build a 10-year dynasty of consecutive championships.
World Series here we come! Angels fans have got to be excited. They may have lost Ohtani but this will make up for it!
They don’t want trout to die so they need Hicks in center full time. Trout chose LAA so it’s his fault he’s rotting there. So now he’ll mostly DH. Maybe play 1st?
This signing is trying to dollar cost average the disaster at 3rd base.
Another expansion team type move.
It’s going to be hard for the Angels to pull hitting together now with Ohtani gone. Going to take more SP depth and better bats. Power hitters like Shohei should do the trick. Decent Pickup
MR 30-30
Angels fan: We got Aaron Judge! OMG! OMG! OMG! (reads closer) Aw, damn it.
Ohtani’s replacement, obviously
Since when do we report that a team signed a deal with the player? Weird.
Adell for Giants’ Bart. Both were higj draft picks that live up to draft status and now out of options.
Tell me you don’t know who’s on the Angels roster without telling me.
Bart is 27 years old.. if Adell doesnt show drastic improvement his Age 25 season, then Adell will have a similar future to Bart.
Jo needs to go to a non contender that will allow for him to get his 500 AB’s, resulting in a .225 BA, 30 HR’s, and a boatload of K’s.
The Rockies would be his ideal landing spot.
It would be almost tempting to trade him for someone like Kris Bryant, who would actually fill a lot of needs for the Angels. He can’t stay healthy, so he’s fit right in.
Don’t worry the Rockies would never trade Kris Bryant because he puts butts in seats! (Allegedly!)
Where were the Padres on this? They’re not exactly beeming with OF options and it doesn’t get any cheaper than this. From a competitive standpoint seems like a player would prefer SD to Anaheim.
He grew up near Anaheim so maybe that played a role. For how cheap he is I would think a lot of teams would’ve rolled the dice on him.
The location has to be the only thing that would make him choose the Angels, I’d think San Diego is close enough to keep him where he wants but maybe not.
Jeez, Yankees are on the hook for salary for 2024 and 2025, that’s dead money that could have been used on relief pitching…
The Angels are building a pretty good golf team.
Hicks, Trout or Rendon; who misses more games in ’24?
In order of games played.
Trout, Rendon, Hicks.
I really think the Angels are going to give their young players as many ABs as reasonable to see who they are.
Relegated to the west coast box scores where he belongs. Head case.
Hicks 2024 WAR > Ohtani 2024 WAR
Aaron Hicks Yankee legend.
Quite surprised it took this long for him to sign with another team since he costs league minimum and performed quite well with the Orioles.
Twins should have picked him up. Might have been a decent and cheap backup for Buxton…
Ingram would be a good pickup for whoever gets him.
He should stick with Golf
Good move by the angels. Experienced player at minimum salary only taking up a roster spot. Worse is a dfa, better is a trade mid season.
Love a guy whose nickname is longer than his actual name.
Yeah, thought the Twins might want Hicks as backup.
Hicks is a good guy who unfortunately has his best baseball days behind him….still a serviceable defensive outfielder and as a switch hitter does have value if/when he gets into a hot streak which unfortunately doesn’t last very long….wish him the best of luck in Anaheim…..where he’ll undoubtably love the golf……
I understand how bad he was for NYY from 2021 through (almost*) the end of his tenure in 2023. But then he looked quite like his old self for BAL and is essentially “free” given the Yankees are paying him still. I couldn’t understand why more teams weren’t interested… or maybe he was the one waiting it out for his best opportunity idk. Either way this seems like a potential steal if he plays anywhere near the level he did for BAL and can still man CF in addition to R and Left.
The * is because ironically… he had actually started hitting for NYY right before they released him. Sure small sample but it was ironic after giving him so much of a leash to cut him RIGHT when he looked to be going better… then what do you know? He continued it in BAL lol
Not saying he’s going to be a superstar. But he’s definitely worth a shot at the league min!!!
Hicks had to be one of the most frustrating players I have ever watched. All the talent in the world in almost every facet of the game…power, speed, defense, cannon for an arm…and yet he could never put it together.
But for all those physical gifts he almost has no feel for the game of baseball. He probably should have went a different route and played football or basketball or even tennis since he flat out quit on his team which is inexcusable in any sport at any level. So happy he is in an Angels uniform so I don’t have to hear about what he did or didn’t do.
Not more frustrating than Stanton
hmmmm….losing Ohtani and picking up Hicks,
I would say that is a Wile E. Coyote going off the edge of a cliff type drop.
Aaron Hicks? Why?
A surprising nice year (129 OPS+) as a waiver wire pickup.
Angels hope the wrist-injured year(s) are the fluke and not 2023 with Baltimore.
Hicks has always had a history of injuries, in good years and bad. Can’t argue with the price, though, for whatever team will have him this year and next.
Angels, LordD. Angels.
Lol
I always felt like Hicks was treated unfairly here. Wish him success and remember the good times watching him play. I remember the game ending catch against the Twins, and being at the stadium when he hit a homer from both sides of the plate. Fun guy to watch when he is healthy, and I’m glad he’s not on a division rival anymore. I hope for the best for him.
A very Angels move
There’s an obvious path for Adell and PT. 1, maybe 2 spots of 4(3 OF, + DH), are taken. Whoever performs the best of Moniak, Adell, and Hicks plays. Period. That’s an easy path to playing time any of that trio.
DH might even be the best spot for Adell with his defensive issues. It’s possible he takes some of those struggles to the plate, and impacts him there.
Why was the thumbnail a pic of Albert Pujols?