Baltimore Orioles and Free Agent Outfielder Aaron Hicks Reach a Deal
The Baltimore Orioles and free agent outfielder Aaron Hicks have reached an agreement on a contract. In a corresponding move, outfielder Cedric Mullins has been placed on the injured list with a right groin strain.
The Baltimore Banner had the report on Twitter:
The Orioles have signed free agent outfielder Aaron Hicks to a major league contract. Cedric Mullins has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right groin strain.
We had speculated this earlier on Tuesday and it made sense given that Mullins left Monday's game with the groin injury.
Hicks was let go recently by the Yankees after a string of disappointing years.
The team signed him to a seven-year, $70 million contract before the 2020 season and will have to eat significant money as a result of the designation. The Orioles are only on the hook for the major league minimum.
Hicks was out to a terrible start at the plate this year, continuing a series of subpar runs for the Yankees. He's hitting just .188 this year with one home run. He hit just .216 a season ago.
He's also dealt with injury issues as well since getting to New York. He played just 59 games in 2019 and 32 in 2021, further adding to Yankees fans frustrations.
As for Mullins, with him missing time, that's a big loss for the Orioles.
Hitting at the top of the order, Mullins is hitting .263 this season with eight home runs and 39 RBI. He's also stolen 13 bases.
For his career, he's also a .263 hitter. He hit a career-high 30 home runs in 2021 for Baltimore. He made the All-Star team in 2021 and has won a Silver Slugger.
The Orioles and Guardians will play again on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Kyle Gibson will get the ball for Baltimore.
