DON'T WORRY, "SOFT" AARON HICKS WILL SOON RETURN

What's worse, not playing well with the Yankees, or playing well with the Orioles? Or both.

What makes me weary about Aaron Hicks is his lack of production in a Yankee uniform and sometimes, may I suggest, a lack of effort. I mean, as a New York Yankee, it was his duty to play well, that's what the Yankees signed him for... a lot of years, a lot of money, 7 and $70. He was under contract to do so, but he just didn't. Looking at him right now it's almost like a breach of contract.  And I have a theory on that... that will be in a moment.

Suddenly after his muscle sprain in Baltimore a few days ago, Aaron Hicks suddenly discovered his playing ability again.  He's hitting, he's fielding, he's playing like a major leaguer.  WFAN writes:

"The former Yankee outfielder went 2-for-4 with a walk for the Orioles in their win over the Giants on Sunday afternoon, continuing a red-hot start to his tenure in Baltimore after being cut by the Yanks following years of struggles. But now, through a small sample size of 14 plate appearances, Hicks is showing what the Yankees thought they had after signing him to a seven-year extension in 2018 after the best season of his career."

But here's the thing; For Aaron Hicks, this is a mental thing.  The one thing about Hicks is he's soft. Much like when you're a little leaguer and the ball is hit to you as a kid, and it rolls between your legs. What is the one thing you coach will tell you? "Finish the play! Don't bow your head in shame, in embarrassment. Instead, finish the play and move past it."  

The hardest thing Hicks can do as an athlete is move past it. Yankee fans crucified him in the Bronx because he had a bad game and it just festered. He got in his own head and it just got worse and worse and worse.  And so, the Yankees had enough because let's face it, when it comes to feelings, even the Yankees were fed up with this guy.  Baseball is a game where no one will feel sorry for you. You made it there because you had the ability... your job if you're under contract is to play well and to stay there. Most importantly, it's to contribute to winning a championship. Hicks did none of that in New York.

And when the Orioles picked him up, there was new life, new scenery, but the most important part of it was that there were no angry fans to crucify him.  Now, I could guarantee you if he had a first bad game or 2 with the Orioles, there would be boos and no question knowing what we know about Hicks emotional rollercoaster, he would easily fall into the gutter again.  Will he? He will, just give it time.  

Right now, however, Hicks has found a home for a hot minute.  Am I happy for him? Not really. He had a job to do in New York and he didn't.  That should outrage all of you considering what he's been able to figure out in Baltimore.  

But you can't go back, you can only move forward.  Bottom line, as long as Hick's isn't booed out of the batter's box, he'll be fine in orange and white.  But I'm telling you this right now... his delicate mind will be the end of this guy if he starts to slow down. He is just not strong enough. Prediction... he will get in his own head and won't be able to dig out.  My feeling is the truth is in his mind.  If he learns to work through bad days he'll be fine. But more to it... he just didn't do a good job in New York, and he should have, and that's what annoys me the most.