New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks has been struggling with his performance on the field, which has put a target on his back.
Aaron Hicks has been a part of the New York Yankees outfield since he was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in 2016. However, he has struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance in recent seasons, leading some fans to question whether he still remains the right fit for the team. While the team management turned a blind eye, the home fans would not let it slide.
After a public rant over the constant snub, Aaron Hicks received multiple chances in the outfield last week. However, he wasted those opportunities and put on an absolute horror show on the plate. Certainly, the New York Yankee fanbase displayed their honest reactions and booed him after almost every strikeout. Seeing this constant criticism, an MLB analyst came out in support of the outfielder.
MLB Analyst Calls For A Second Chance For Aaron Hicks, Fans Disagree
Jon Heyman, an MLB analyst, has called for patience with Aaron Hicks, pointing out that he has shown flashes of excellence in the past and that he may just be going through a rough patch. He argued that the team should stick with him and allow him to work through his struggles rather than give up on him too soon. However, many Yankees fans are not willing to be patient. They are growing increasingly frustrated with Hicks’ performance and are calling for the team to make a change. Some have suggested that the team should trade him or even release him in order to make room for younger, more promising players.
Part of the frustration with Aaron Hicks is due to the fact that the Yankees have high expectations for the team this season. After missing out on the championship title in 2022, the team has invested heavily in its roster and is expected to be a serious contender in the American League. Fans are eager to see the team perform at its best, and Hicks’ struggles hinder that goal. Another factor contributing to the frustration is Hicks’ relatively high salary. He is due to make $10.5 million in 2023, which makes him one of the highest-paid players on the team. Some fans feel that this is too much money to be paying a player who is not performing up to expectations.
Constant Crowd Boos Taking A Toll On Hicks
Aaron Hicks is not new to criticism. He faced it throughout the 2022 season. The home crowd booed him consistently. However, he let it slide and focused on getting better. The outfielder went on record to state that the criticism is not affecting him at all, and he understands the sentiments of the fans. However, something has changed this season.
This season, the constant boos from the home crowd have messed with Aaron Hicks’ head. Apparently, he refused to appear for a post-game interview as he was not in the right space of mind. This certainly speaks volumes of the level of pressure the outfielder is dealing with. For what it’s worth, Hicks remains a veteran player with years of experience. Despite recent struggles, the outfielder deserves to be treated with some respect.