BADER BACK SOON & THE END OF HICKS

Harrison Bader is getting closer and closer to returning.  Remember he was out for a bit with an oblique strain. But Clutch Points writes he could be making his way back:

"Harrison Bader, who has yet to play this season due to an oblique strain that he sustained in Spring Training, is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week."

And Bryan Hoch writes:

“Harrison Bader went through a full on-field workout today and could begin a minor league rehab assignment as soon as Monday.”

But with Bader returning, I think the big question is what happened to guys like Willie Calhoun and Aaron Hicks.  For Calhoun, I can see the Yankees keeping him around. They like him. They like his lefty bat, they like that he will do whatever they need and I'm pretty sure this dude's out of options if they get rid of him.  And so, that won't work.

Aaron Hicks on the other hand? It's the end for him. Sportskeeda writes:

" Hicks is likely counting the days until Harrison Bader returns. That will likely happen when the Yankees are able to trade him or send him somewhere. Until then, he is the backup outfielder...Barring any setbacks, Bader is expected to return at the end of this month. When he does, he'll be back in the lineup and Hicks will have no spot."

And Jon Heyman writes:

"The hitch with Hicks, of course, is that he logged two very productive seasons in The Bronx before he disintegrated, long enough for the Yankees and him to get together on a $70 million, seven-year deal. Congrats to CAA, but this was a very bad idea for the Yankees.

General manager Brian Cashman, who didn’t return a message regarding this subject, is unnecessarily castigated on social media, as he’s obviously made more good calls than bad; check the record. But this contract never made sense."

Bottom line, there is a growing concern and a lot of rumbling that the Yankees are ready to part ways with Hicks.  I really hope this is true.  Yankees need to tighten things up as they get into May.  Hicks is now a liability.  We need to dump him... that's the bottom line.