Yankees trade catcher John Ryan Murphy to Twins for OF Aaron Hicks
The Yankees have traded catcher John Ryan Murphy to the Twins for outfielder Aaron Hicks, the teams announced Wednesday.
Murphy, 24, was the backup to Brian McCann this season and batted .277 in 67 games. Minnesota catcher Kurt Suzuki hit .240 with a .296 on-base percentage one year after his first All-Star appearance. The 31-year-old has one year left on his current contract, plus a $6 million option that vests if he makes 485 plate appearances in 2016.
Hicks began the 2015 season in Triple A and batted .256 in 97 major-league games. He is known primarily for his speed on the bases and defensive range in the outfield.
Trading Hicks allows the Twins to make top prospect Byron Buxton their primary centerfielder, while the Yankees have cleared the way for hot prospect Gary Sanchez to be the new backup catcher.
The Yankees also traded infielder Jose Pirela to the Padres for pitcher Ronald Herrera, and are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading outfielder Brett Gardner.
- Dan Gartland
