ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Progress to reach a deal between Cardinals and relief pitcher Jordan Hicks has reportedly failed to materialize, with a trade likely for the relief pitcher, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Bob Nightengale of the USA Today is reporting that the Texas Rangers are aggressively pursuing the 26-year-old Texas native. Goold has also reported the Yankees are interested in him too.
It been a renaissance year Hicks, after year of dealing with various injuries. While an initial 3.67 ERA by Hicks doesn't look impressive at first, the ERA being that high is more how much of a struggle Hicks had to begin the season, posting a 12.71 ERA in his first seven outings. However, he has been excellent since, posting a splendid 2.25 ERA while striking out 53 batters in his following 36 innings.
The analytics number have taken a liking to Hicks too, with a Hicks posting a seasonal FIP of 3.05, lower than the likes of Astros star closer Ryan Pressly and Philadelphia Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel.
Katie Woo of the Athletic reported earlier in the week the Cardinals were exploring a multi-year contract extension with Hicks, with some optimism a deal could be done. However, that deal now has seem to fail to materialize and now Hicks will be among the growing group of Cardinals players to be moved before the Aug. 1st Trade Deadline.
Hicks is set to be a free agent after the season, so it would make his trade purely a rental trade, but postseasons would no doubt be in the hunt for a relief pitcher like Hicks, with the use of bullpens becoming more prevalent in the postseason.
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