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TAMPA – The Yankees' decision to abandon independent players Manny Machado and Bryce Harper in order to spread their money in several directions continued on Monday, when center and center player Aaron Hicks agreed to an extension of seven-year contract worth $ 70 million.
"It was not an easy decision on my part and I'm sure it was not an easy decision for them to end because it was a lot of money, but it 's not an easy decision for them. is a bet that, in our opinion, was worth taking financially, "said General Manager Brian Cashman. Monday morning before the Yankees' 3-0 win over the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "It's also an example of [how] we have diversified. The payroll of the game is among the highest in the world, so we are addressing in the short term areas that allow us to compete for a championship. But recognizing also the long term, we have players that we want to keep here. They will cost money. "
Hicks, who received a $ 2 million signing bonus in addition to the $ 6 million that he was already ready to earn this year, received $ 10.5 million between 2020 and 2023 and 9, $ 5 million in 2024 and 2025. There is a $ 12.5 million club option for 2026 and $ 1 million buyback. Hicks does not have a no-trade clause, but if he was treated, he would receive $ 1 million.
In the last two offseasons, free agents have not been as financially successful as in previous years. Hicks was asked if the recent landscape of free agents had prompted him to sign the deal less than a season before entering the market.
"Not too much," Hicks said. "For me, it was about getting ready for another year and meeting my goals."
There are agreements in which each party publicly proclaims that it is solid for both parties, but it is generally only fine words. However, in this union, it is true.
"I thought it was a fair deal for both sides. It's the organization I want to stay with, "said Hicks. "It's a team I want to be part of. You know who's on this team, and it's a bright future. "
Hicks, 29, is an important part of this future. His signature follows on the staff's ace, Luis Severino, who signed a four-year pact worth $ 40 million earlier this month and who has bought back all his years from 39; arbitration. Last week, Dellin Betances, who can become a free agent after this season, said his agent, Jim Murray, had had conversations with Cashman about an extension.
Betances declined Monday to discuss whether the Yankees had had recent discussions with his side, pointing out that he had said last week that he was not going to talk about the situation so much that there was no room for debate.
Didi Gregorius, whose schedule for the return of surgery to Tommy John is unclear, and receiver Austin Romine are free agents of the season. The Yankees could hire Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in multi-year contracts, as they did with Severino.
In addition to calling Hicks, who recently became a new father, the most underrated baseball player on Saturday, Aaron Boone said the hitman was "the child of the poster "for the discipline of the plate. This falls at the heart of the Yankees' organizational approach.
Last year, Hicks was fifth in major tournaments (500 appearances on the minimum plate) with a market rate of 15.5%, and his pursuit rate of 20.9% was the seventh lowest. Hicks' 49 steps after the break from the stars were the most contested in the American League.
After thanking his family, friends and the Steinbrenner family, Hicks thanked his former Twins teammate, Torii Hunter.
"He believed in me and allowed me to start on the right track to become a better player," said Hicks, who hit .248 and set career career records in the circuits (27) and RBI ( 79) last season. "He gave me a base up to think as a player, to be able to know what your strengths are and to play to your strengths."
After his first year (2016) with the Yankees, it was hard to contemplate the news of Monday because Hicks had beaten .217 in 123 games by playing all three out of field positions after receiving receiver John Ryan Murphy.
The Yankees believe there is still much to come from Hicks, whose only red flag has been four times on the injured list over the last three seasons with muscle strain.
"We have an upscale player who has grown up and developed here in so many ways and it's exciting," Boone said. "I think he's really hungry to go out and show that not only the player he's been showing us in recent years, but maybe there's even more."
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