Angels News

Jan 31, 2024 - Written by Bryan Whitfield

Angels Bolster Outfield Depth with Aaron Hicks Signing

The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks to a 1-year deal to bolster the teams outfield presence in the upcoming 2024 season. Hicks, 34, was DFA’d last season by the Yankees before revitalizing his career with the Orioles. The former New York Yankees outfielder is still owed $20M over the next two seasons so the Angels are only on the hook for league minimum. Hicks brings a wealth of experience to the Angels roster, adding both depth and a valuable veteran presence to the team.

The addition of Aaron Hicks immediately strengthens the Angels' outfield depth. Hicks' versatility allows him to play all three outfield positions effectively, providing Manager Ron Washington with increased flexibility in crafting lineup combinations and defensive alignments. His versatility adds a new dimension to the Angels outfield, which already contains Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell. The switch-hitter also brings a possible offensive spark, capable of producing from both sides of the plate. Hicks smashed lefties last season with a WRC+ of 173 against left-handers.

In addition to his on-field contributions, Aaron Hicks brings some veteran leadership to the Angels clubhouse. As someone with postseason experience, Hicks can serve as a mentor to the younger players on the roster, offering guidance and invaluable insights to help them navigate a 162-game season. His professionalism and work ethic are expected to positively influence the team's culture and contribute to a winning mindset within the organization.

The Angels' decision to sign Aaron Hicks carries significant implications for the team's dynamics and competitiveness. With Hicks' arrival, the outfield competition intensifies, creating a bit of a log-jam with 5 outfielders on the 26 man roster. It’s possible the Angels look to trade one of Ward, Moniak or Adell, although Ward will likely have the most value on the trade block. Adell will likely not be traded as his value isn’t very high, unless the Angels opt to trade for another prospect without options. The Padres, Marlins and Guardians are all possible fits in a trade as the teams are looking for some outfield reinforcements.

Conclusion

The Angels signing of Aaron Hicks represents a proactive approach to fortifying the team's outfield depth and injecting a seasoned veteran presence into the roster. As the team aims to make a strong push in the highly competitive American League West, Hicks' upside on this roster will give the Angels a nice new face in the Angels clubhouse both on and off the field. With Spring Training on the horizon, the addition of Aaron Hicks should be one of many moves to come prior to the start of the 2024 season.

Disclaimer : (1) All photos are not owned by InsideHalos and have been given proper credit beneath each photo. (2) Links of players are property of MLB. (3) InsideHalos is a fan-made site not affiliated with Angels Baseball.