As former New York Yankees pitcher David Cone prepares to be a part of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball as an analyst, he is also keeping an eye on what the Yankees are doing this offseason to improve the team heading into 2022.
Participating in an interview session set up by ESPN to discuss his new role with the network, Cone was asked what moves the New York Yankees need to make once the current MLB lockout ends. His answer hit on the need at shortstop, but also mentioned the health and performance of a Yankees outfielder as a key to the season as well.
David Cone believes the New York Yankees need a strong season from Aaron Hicks in 2022
Yes, Cone believes the Yankees need to address shortstop, whether that’s signing a free agent like Carlos Correa or Trevor Story, or finding another option that may save the franchise dollars that could be used for a contract extension for Aaron Judge. However, there’s another need that Cone believes New York has in 2022.
"“So obviously you need a shortstop,” Cone said. “You need Aaron Hicks to come back and be solid in center field, and you have to find that out.”"
Hicks saw action for the Yankees in just 32 games last season before injuries, including a left wrist injury in May that required surgery and cost him the remainder of the campaign. However, even when he was healthy, Hicks struggled, slashing .194/.294/.333 in 108 at-bats. The lone bright spot? Hicks went 9-for-24 in May, showing signs of life before suffering the injury.
Can Hicks rebound from his injury and stay healthy for the Yankees in 2022? Cone said finding the answer to that question was important.
"“So some things you know you need right now as far as a position player and a shortstop,” Cone added. “Another thing you need to find out in Spring Training when we eventually get there is how Aaron Hicks looks and whether he can play a full schedule and stay solid or not.”"
In six years (493 games) with the Yankees, Hicks has a slash line of .237/.342/.424. After a 2018 campaign where he appeared in 137 games and hit a career-high 27 homers and drove in a career-best 79 runs, Hicks has struggled with injuries, with a right flexor strain limiting him to 59 games in 2019 and the pandemic-shortened season giving him just 54 games in 2020. Those numbers are exactly why Cone is wondering if Hicks can give the Yankees more than 100 games in 2022.
Coming back from his wrist injury, Hicks fared decently in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, but he still enters 2022 as a question mark for New York. Will the franchise make a move in center field following the lockout or is Hicks the answer at the position for at least one more campaign? Cone and others with an interest in the Yankees will be watching this closely when the lockout ends.