Breaking - Yankees Release Aaron Hicks

I was in a SABR meeting with the Lexington, Kentucky chapter when Mike Whiteman shared the news...

Former Yankee Greg Allen, just acquired from the Red Sox, takes Hicks' place.

Quick Thoughts - I always feel badly for the player when this happens. It must be the worst feeling ever.

Aaron Hicks, though, was a shell of the player he had been. He did not seem to be happy as a Yankee. His hitting was bad. His defense not good.

If the Yankees are looking to win a championship, there are better players, including, probably, Greg Allen. This move was a long time in coming.

Hicks can now catch on with another team and try to get his career on track away from the bright lights on NYC. This was, for the Yankees, and for Hicks, the right move. It was a long time coming.

I give the Yankees a lot of credit for their willingness to eat the rest of the contract (for the most part) and put winning (getting the best team on the field) above payroll, luxury tax caps, and the like.

(By the way, #30 was worn by Mel Stottlemyre and Willie Randolph. For the Yankees, who love retiring numbers, how is that not retired?)

A few tweets: