The New York Yankees are exploring options to bolster their bullpen, and one player catching their attention is free agent Jordan Hicks, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays. At 27 years old, Hicks is considered a young player with substantial upside, making him an attractive prospect for teams seeking to improve their bullpen performance.
While Hicks is expected to command a significant contract, the Yankees, under the leadership of general manager Brian Cashman, are evaluating the possibility of acquiring his services. The team’s interest in Hicks is not unique, as several other teams are reportedly eyeing the talented reliever. However, the Yankees will need to manage their financial resources efficiently, especially after securing Juan Soto and his estimated $30 million in arbitration.
The Yankees’ focus on Hicks aligns with their desire for velocity in the bullpen, a characteristic that Hicks possesses. With a fastball regularly touching over 100 mph, Hicks brings an impressive arsenal of pitches, including a sinker, sweeper, four-seam fastball, and occasional use of a change-up. Despite some inconsistency in past seasons, Hicks showcased his abilities in the 2023 season, pitching 65.2 innings with a 3.29 ERA, 11.1 strikeouts per nine, a 72.1% left-on-base rate, and a 58.3% ground ball rate.
Hicks’s pitch repertoire includes a sinker that produced a .259 batting average and a sweeper with a .136 batting average in the previous season. The notable variation in velocity and movement between his sinker and sweeper makes him a challenging pitcher to face. While Hicks’s whiff rate falls in the 66th percentile, there is room for improvement in terms of accuracy and control, areas that coaching and fundamental tweaks, especially under a coach like Matt Blake, could address.
Despite the potential benefits of adding Hicks to the bullpen, the Yankees face financial constraints and other needs, particularly in acquiring another starting pitcher. The possibility of pursuing Yoshinobu Yamamoto as a cost-effective starting pitching option could influence their strategy, potentially allowing them to allocate resources more efficiently.
Considering the success of past acquisitions like Tommy Kahnle, who was signed to a two-year, $11.5 million deal last offseason, the Yankees may weigh the option of finding cost-efficient arms and developing them into productive players. As they navigate the offseason, the Yankees will need to strike a balance between addressing their pitching needs and managing their financial commitments effectively.
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