The Yankees had no thoughts of Aaron Hicks returning to good as new when he decided to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic this offseason.
The hope, as general manager Brian Cashman said last month, was that Hicks would “knock some rust off” after being sidelined by season-ending wrist surgery in May.
In the early going, Hicks hasn’t done much at the plate in the Dominican and there will continue to be concerns about his ability to play center consistently, given his injury history and advancing age.
Cashman acknowledged the position was one of the focuses of the offseason, which led the Yankees being linked to Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who was posted by the Hiroshima Carp last month.
The 27-year-old didn’t strike a deal with an MLB club prior to the Dec. 2 lockout and his 30-day window to secure a contract was put on hold when the work stoppage began, meaning he’ll have three more weeks to negotiate with all 30 teams or return to Japan.
The Yankees were reportedly among the most aggressive teams pursuing Suzuki, along with Toronto and Boston, but there are questions about Suzuki’s fit with the Yankees — and the Blue Jays — because of his lack of experience playing center.
With Aaron Judge in right and Joey Gallo in left — and Giancarlo Stanton showing he can at least play a corner outfield spot on occasion — there wouldn’t be a place for another everyday outfielder, provided Hicks can stay healthy.
That, of course, is the primary question regarding the 32-year-old Hicks.
Brett Gardner will still be a free agent once MLB and the players association settle on a new collective bargaining agreement, but if both sides were that interested in a reunion, Gardner likely would have already re-upped to remain in The Bronx.
Starling Marte, the top true center-field option on the free-agent market to open the offseason, signed a four-year, $78 million deal with the Mets that the Yankees weren’t interested in, especially since Marte is 33.
Scouts are intrigued by Suzuki’s speed — he stole 25 bases two seasons ago — but what they like most about him is his power (38 homers and a 1.072 OPS with Hiroshima last season), as well as his plate discipline and ability to get on base.
“I think his bat would play in the majors,” said one AL scout who saw Suzuki play last season. “I don’t know if he’d hit 30 homers or get on base as much, but he’s productive and should be entering his prime.”
But the scout wasn’t sure if Suzuki would be able to be an everyday center fielder.
“He’s shown some versatility, but you don’t want someone learning the position in Yankee Stadium,” the scout said.
Still, the Yankees showed a willingness to use Judge in center on occasion last season, so they aren’t against the idea of moving outfielders around.
Could they rotate five outfielders, with Gallo, Judge, Hicks and a potential new outfielder playing regularly and Stanton filling in?
There are no ideal fits in center on the free-agent market, and a potential trade target, Byron Buxton, signed an extension to stay in Minnesota.
The Yankees, though, remain confident there will be players available once the lockout is over, and just as they expect the free-agent market to move freely with players looking for landing spots quickly before spring training begins, teams may look to move players once the CBA is settled.