TAMPA — When the Yankees traded for Aaron Hicks in November, he was seen as a fourth outfielder and possible replacement if Brett Gardner was moved in the offseason.
Well, it’s nearly three months later, Gardner is still a Yankee and Hicks remains pegged as a spare part, despite general manager Brian Cashman saying, following the acquisition, “We think Aaron Hicks is an everyday player.”
And though Hicks is new to the Yankees, he knows what he’s up against in the outfield mix.
“Those guys are really good,” Hicks said Wednesday outside the team’s minor league complex.
As for Hicks, he’s been more about potential than accomplishment during his brief career.
Anointed the starting center fielder in Minnesota before the 2013 regular season, Hicks faltered and was sent back to the minors in August. It was more of the same the following year, when he won the job again — only to be shipped all the way to Double-A in June. He spent 38 more games at Triple-A last year, and has yet to play 100 games in a season in the majors.
The Yankees envision the 26-year-old at least as a replacement for Chris Young, who signed with the Red Sox. Hicks has an OPS of .808 against lefties in his career, and that number rose to .870 last season.
Unlike Young, however, Hicks is a switch-hitter, and improved his OPS against righties to .661 in 2015. He’d like that ascent to continue this season, whatever his role.
“I took strides,” Hicks said. “I had a better game plan at the plate. I understand the game more and want to become a better overall player. I took huge steps last year in being able to hit better against righties and also hit better against lefties.”
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Considering the injury history of Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, Hicks’ job could prove to be vital.
If it does, he won’t be ill-prepared. He arrived in camp about two weeks ago, nearly a full month before position players are due to report, so he’s still waiting to meet many of his new teammates.
One of them didn’t waste any time in reaching out to Hicks shortly after John Ryan Murphy was sent to the Twins.
“Alex [Rodriguez] sent me a text saying, ‘Hey, welcome to the team,’” Hicks said. “I was pretty excited about that one. … Never met him before, never talked to him. It was pretty cool. It shows his character.”
Whether Hicks is ready to play in The Bronx remains to be seen.
“That’s stuff you try not to worry about,” Hicks said. “I just go out and play. That’s my job. You can’t focus on that kind of thing.’’
When he does suit up for the Yankees, he’ll be wearing No. 31. Hicks said 31 was his favorite number, but he wore 32 with the Twins for his father, whose favorite player was Dave Winfield. The Hall of Famer wore 32 in Minnesota, but was 31 with the Yankees.
“It just so happens I’m wearing his number again,” Hicks said. “He’s a really good guy to follow.”