4) Worst contracts in the AL East: Aaron Hicks
Prior to the 2019 season, the New York Yankees agreed to a seven-year extension worth $70 million with Aaron Hicks to keep him in the Bronx through the 2025 season. Hicks was coming off an outstanding 2018 season which saw him receive MVP consideration as he finished 22nd in the balloting, and it seemed to be well-deserved at the time.
Unfortunately for New York, Hicks had trouble staying healthy and productive after inking the extension. From 2019-2022, he slashed .220/.334/.367 with 30 home runs and 111 RBI. He hit 27 home runs in 137 games in 2018, and managed just 30 long balls in his 275 games played from 2019-2022. The lack of production was highlighted by his 96 OPS+ and declining defense.
As if his lack of production wasn't enough, Hicks played just 275 of the 546 games he had the chance to play in that span. Just a shade over half.
This season, Hicks continued to be a shell of the player he once was. He slashed .188/.263/.261 with one home run and five RBI in 28 games before the Yankees finally had enough and DFA'd him. This was noteworthy because Hicks still had guaranteed years left on his deal.
The 33-year-old is making $10.5 million this season, $9.5 million in 2024, and $11.5 million in 2025. The Yankees will watch Hicks play against them while paying him seven or eight figures annually through the 2025 season. To make matters worse for them, Hicks is playing for the division-leading Orioles right now and he has a 118 OPS+ in his 42 games in Baltimore.