Yankees Outfielder Reportedly Available; Cardinals Could Make Move To Bolster Position

One Yankees outfielder is available and would make sense for the Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have looked as advertised as of late. 

St. Louis entered the 2023 season with high expectations. The Cardinals won 93 games in 2022 but struggled to open the new season. St. Louis sat at the bottom of the National League standings heading into May, but the club has completely turned things around. The Cardinals are 21-27 through 48 games and currently are in third place in the NL Central and are just five games back behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. 

The Cardinals' offense has been the biggest reason for the club's turnaround although St. Louis' starting rotation has slowly started to get back on track. As the Cardinals inch closer toward playoff contention, it gets more and more likely that the club will swing a trade for a starting pitcher to help put them over the top and stabilize the rotation. If the Cardinals were to make a deal, it likely would mean parting ways with at least one outfielder. Because of this fact, it wouldn't hurt to add even more veteran depth and one player who soon will be available is New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks. 

The 33-year-old recently was designated for assignment by New York, according to Newsday Sports' Erik Boland, and will be on the move shortly. Once a team designates a player for assignment, they have one week to trade them and if a deal doesn't happen, they become a free agent if not claimed off waivers. 

Hicks has struggled offensively this season slashing .188/.263/.261 to go along with one home run and five RBIs, but he still could be of help to another club. The 33-year-old is an 11-year veteran and primarily has played center field, but has seen time at all three outfield spots throughout his career. St. Louis has had a logjam in the outfield this season, but if it wants to complete a trade for a solid starting pitcher Tyler O'Neill likely will be traded along with potentially Juan Yepez. The club also has dealt with injuries -- including outfielder Dylan Carlson -- so it wouldn't hurt to add another depth piece.

The longtime Yankee is a career .230 hitter with 101 home runs and 356 RBIs. If the Cardinals were to acquire him to be a minor league depth piece or bench role player, it could give them the flexibility needed to complete a trade. All in all, as we get closer to the summer we should an influx in moves especially if the Cardinals can stay hot. 

More MLB: Former All-Star Infielder Available; Cardinals Could Take Chance On Him To Bolster Depth