Aaron Hicks had himself a series in Milwaukee, logging five hits in 12 at-bats, including a home run and a double, to temporarily remove himself from what has been a brutal season at the plate and in the field.
But now, Harrison Bader is expected to be activated on Tuesday as the Yankees return home, and Hicks can see the writing on the wall.
“I expect him to come in and start playing every day, as he should,” Hicks said Saturday, via the New York Post. “He got traded here to help us win. We need him to be himself to win a World Series. When I get opportunities, I’ll try to make the most of them, but it’s extremely hard when I play a game and then I’m off for three days and now there’s another outfielder out there.”
Hicks was the starting center fielder to begin the season, but lost his consistent playing time by posting a lowly .635 OPS on the season, despite remaining healthy after years of injury troubles. Hicks isn’t the only Yankee outfielder to struggle badly this season and draw ire from the fanbase, as Joey Gallo was dealt to the Dodgers after failing to produce in New York.
Hicks noted Gallo’s change of scenery and even pondered if he could benefit from such a change, but says that would be the Yankees’ decision to make.
“I don’t know. The Yankees are gonna have to make a decision and I’ll wait for whatever happens,” Hicks said. “It’s not really my call.
“As of right now, I feel the more I play, the better I’m gonna play. That’s not what’s going on right now. Things are tough in New York.
I don’t have an answer. If they feel this isn’t the right fit for me, that’s their call. If I do go to another team, I know I can help them win.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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