Angels agree to tackle OF Aaron Hicks

ANAHEIM — The Angels added to their crowded outfield mix on Monday, nonetheless it absolutely became as soon as a low-price and low-possibility switch, as they signed passe outfielder Aaron Hicks to a one-year deal price the league minimum of $740,000.

But it absolutely might per chance have confidence a ripple enact on what they thought to make with fellow outfielder Jo Adell, as he’s out of Minor League choices and can’t be sent down without being uncovered to waivers. And the Angels already have confidence megastar Mike Trout, Taylor Ward and Mickey Moniak on the roster.

It might per chance perhaps per chance mean the Angels will gaze to trade a player from that neighborhood, nonetheless overall supervisor Perry Minasian acknowledged he might per chance per chance gaze all five outfielders on the Opening Day roster.

“I wouldn’t rule the relaxation out,” Minasian acknowledged. “They’re gonna have confidence opportunities to play, and clearly Spring Practising is gonna be necessary. As currently constructed we aloof have confidence room for all people.”

The Angels were ready to add Hicks cheaply due to he’s aloof getting paid by the Yankees after inking a seven-year, $70 million extension in 2019. Hicks became as soon as launched by Unique York final Could well well also merely nonetheless is being paid $9.78M in both 2024 and ’25 and is due a $1 million buyout in ’26. Hicks, although, bounced relieve after signing with the Orioles, as the switch-hitter slashed .275/.381/.425 with seven homers, seven doubles and 31 RBIs in 65 games for the AL East champions.

“He played in point of fact well for Baltimore after making the change from Unique York, and we noticed a rejuvenated guy that can aloof in point of fact play,” Minasian acknowledged. “He might per chance well also furthermore be productive and appropriate with the injuries he’s had over the final couple of years. We desire to produce sure we have confidence got quality depth there.”

Hicks, 34, is furthermore a local fabricated from Woodrow Wilson High College in Lengthy Beach, Calif., before he became as soon as selected by the Twins as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. He’s a career .233/.332/.387 hitter with 108 homers, 120 doubles, 71 stolen bases and 387 RBIs in 963 games with the Twins (2013-15), Yankees (2016-2023) and Orioles (’23). He’s had disaster staying wholesome, on the opposite hand, as he’s only played in as a minimum 130 games as soon as in the final five seasons.

Hicks is furthermore regarded as a noteworthy defender who can play all three outfield positions. He furthermore fares better towards lefties with a career .758 OPS towards southpaws and a career .702 OPS towards appropriate-handers. Final year, it became as soon as even more pronounced with a .970 OPS vs. lefties and .663 vs. righties.

“It became as soon as necessary and something we in point of fact looked at,” Minasian acknowledged. “There’s definite cases where [manager Ron] Washington will play matchups. As far as any individual that in point of fact match what we were looking out for to construct up, he stood out.”

If the Angels think to drag with a five-man outfield it would restrict their flexibility. But Brandon Drury and Luis Rengifo can play more than one infield positions, which helps. Nevertheless, in contemporary years, the Angels have confidence typically stuck with a four-man outfield.

Adell might per chance per chance be the uncommon man out given his early career inconsistencies nonetheless Minasian acknowledged there’s aloof a wonderful deal of time to figure issues out with the roster.

“If any person has watched us over the previous couple of years, issues change by the day,” Minasian acknowledged. “So for us, it be to make as many quality gamers as we are able to to derive as many varied choices as that it is seemingly you’ll. Things have confidence a silly procedure of sorting themselves out over the route of spring.”