Yankees Pass On Bryce Harper, Sign Aaron Hicks To Solidify Outfield Beyond 2019 MLB Season

The New York Yankees agreed to a contract extension with Aaron Hicks Monday morning, signing the veteran to a seven-year, $70 million contract. The new deal further solidifies the team’s outfield for years to come.

It was once thought that Bryce Harper would anchor the Yankees’ outfield for the next decade after becoming a free agent for the 2019 season. New York has instead decided to pass on pursuing the All-Star, and they might not be in the market to add another outfielder for quite some time.

The future of the Yankees' outfield was essentially formed in 2017 when Aaron Judge became an MVP candidate as a rookie and Hicks had his breakout season. Before the year was over, New York traded for Giancarlo Stanton on the heels of his MVP season, all but ending any chance that the organization would give Harper a record-setting contract.

Hicks, 29, was set to hit free agency after this season. He posted career-highs by hitting .266/.372/.475 in 88 games in 2017. Hicks was one of the best center fielders in baseball for the 2018 season with a .833 OPS, a 4.7 WAR and 27 home runs.

Judge, 26, isn’t set to become a free agent until after the 2022 season, but the Yankees could look to sign him to a long-term deal in hopes of saving some money down the road. If the right fielder continues on this path, he could eventually command a historic yearly salary. Judge has a .963 OPS in 294 career games, and he led the AL with 52 home runs two seasons ago.

Stanton, 29, played plenty of DH last season, and he’ll do the same in 2019 with left fielder Brett Gardner back on a one-year deal. Stanton hit 38 home runs in a “down” year for the Yankees. He’s been given the best odds to lead the league in home runs for the upcoming season.

Minor-league outfielders Clint Frazier and Estevan Florial also have a chance to be future starters for the Yankees.

With Stanton owning the largest contract in MLB history, the Yankees seem intent on securing their own players to long-term deals instead of spending big in free agency. New York has already signed Luis Severino to a four-year, $40 million extension, even though the pitcher was several years away from free agency.

Don’t be surprised if the Yankees agree to a long-term extension with either reliever Dellin Betances or shortstop Didi Gregorius, both of whom are set to hit free agency after this season.

The Yankees were expected to give a big free-agent contract to either pitcher Patrick Corbin or infielder Manny Machado this offseason, but New York was outbid for both players.

Harper reportedly once had his eyes on New York, but the Yankees haven't made a serious play for the outfielder as he seeks a historic contract.