Sep. 12: The Yankees announced that Guzmán was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Since he has over three years of MLB service time, he is eligible to reject this assignment and return to free agency, though it’s unclear if he has chosen to do so.
Sep. 10: The Yankees announced that they have designated first baseman Ronald Guzmán for assignment. Josh Donaldson was activated from the paternity list in a corresponding move.
Guzmán, 27, was just selected to the roster a few days ago to give the Yanks another option at first base when Anthony Rizzo went on the injured list. Since then, the club also placed DJ LeMahieu on the IL, further depleting the depth chart at first. The start at that position has gone to Marwin Gonzalez in each of the past three games as well as today, indicating the Yankees are evidently satisfied enough with his performance to let Guzmán go. Guzmán got six plate appearances in his short time on the roster but went hitless while striking out in five of them.
Despite that poor showing in a very small sample, Guzmán was having a much better season prior to his call-up. In 90 Triple-A games this year, he’s hit 12 home runs while walking in 11.8% of his plate appearances, leading to a .260/.357/.466 batting line that amounts to a 119 wRC+. The strikeouts were present there as well, however, as he went down on strikes 27.6% of the time.
Since the trade deadline has passed, the Yankees will placed Guzmán on waivers in the coming days. He has over three years of MLB service time, meaning he would have the right to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency. Should any team decide to put in a claim, he can be retained for a further three seasons via arbitration.
Marly Rivera of ESPN reported Guzmán’s DFA before the official announcement.
“Ronald Guzmán” is an interesting way to spell Aaron Hicks.
What took so long?
I’m sure Brett Gardner is enjoying himself sitting at home on his farm watching Aaron Hicks embarass himself every night on the YES Network.
Yeah, Cashman gave a $70M extension to the wrong player… Gardner deserved it far more than Hicks.
Yanks definitely could’ve used Gardy this year. He has more heart than most of the team combined.
Seen Gardner mad before…Probably one of the last guys you wanna try and mug in a dark alley..Every team needs a guy or 2 like him.
Can’t dfa hicks he’s on the books for the next 4 years. Makes to much money
They cut Ellsbury and ARod loose owning them millions. Hicks has the talent unfortunately he chooses to use it only when he has a paycheck at stake. Cashman was a fool giving him that contract. MLB needs to get rid of guaranteed contracts. Even if it costs a bit more on the AAV of players like Hicks.
DASH is the goat
He made Hicks look like Eddie Murray.
Or Eddie Money. 2 tickets plz
This should have been Hicks time is meow!
He ruined Derek Jeter night on one boneheaded play. He’s an absolute disgrace.
Aaron Hicks is the new Joey Gallo
He’s even worse than Gallo ever was, at least Gallo could field.
That is true
Not going to defend Hicks but when the team can’t score more than 2 runs against the Rays, one play means nothing. Since the break, the offense has been garbage. DFA the whole team and start from scratch.
THAT play led to 3 runs being scored in that inning. Theoretically, the Yankees could have won 2-1.
Oh please. Even if he catches Wander’s hit, Arozarena drives in two on next play. And would Cash have put Chargois in w a one- or two-run lead? I realize Yankee fans have no idea about other teams, but geesh. Some of the fantasies I read from you guys. Wow.
@Y4L
How did three runners get across the first place? Because pitching and defense also are terrible. Team needs to stop allowing teams opportunities to score runs.
Hicks misplayed Arozarena’s what should have been a line out, too. The Yankees have played bad, that’s for sure. What is upsetting for most Yankees fans is that when you are playing as bad as we are, the self-inflicted wounds are even more painful.
Sideline drunkwine – there was 2 outs when Hicks dropped that ball stupid lmao
Very well stated, and I agree whole heartedly.
Our hitting has been so loathesome lately, there is no margin for error.
You mean one bobble head play?
@All Rise99
How were they winning the game with 2-runs? How do they go from one of the top offenses in the first half of the season so not knowing how to hit?
In the Yankees defense, their offense is missing Benintendi, DJL, Rizzo and Matt Carpenter. Prior to going on the IL, both DJL and Rizzo were struggling with their nagging injuries and it sounds like neither will be fully healthy for the rest of the season, even if they do play. Unless Carp comes back and picks up where he left off and Rizzo/DJL can gut out their injuries and hit well, this Yankees team looks like an early exit candidate from the playoffs. I guess Bader is a potential wildcard too but he’s not really known for his offense. They’ll need to win games 3-2 or 2-1 to have a chance to go deep. Maybe Severino can come back and give them some much needed quality pitching behind Cole, but there are too many “ifs” here if you ask me. Toronto, Tampa and Houston should be able to beat the Yankees in a 5 game or 7 game series unless some magic good health returns to them. These are the risks you take when you build your team with a bunch of 30 year old + veterans. Injury risks are higher and it takes longer to heal when the injuries do hit them.
Might as well just throw out Harrison Bader, boot and all.
It was two boneheaded plays!
He’s in the books for 4 more years cant dfa
@joemoes- you really think Aaron Hicks will be back next season? If so he better get used to the bench.
Hicks would make an excellent 6th outfielder!
I think Hicks should be the starting centerfielder… for the Red Sox.
I like that idea Joe. They took out Ottavino after all lol. But seriously, I’m sure Cashman would try to trade him if he could, he’s not going to just release him and eat the money. We know that from being Yankees fans.
Maybe they find some other foolhardy GM that would take him, if we pay most of his salary and or we take back one of their crap players instead.
Don’t forget his whiff with RISP too. So he contributed to the Rays winning in multiple ways. And then the horrendous route to the fly ball that looked like an 11-year-old……
Again, there is no excuse for playing this guy, at all, but starting him? That’s just negligent.
I’m sure Yankee fans won’t complain about starting Tim Locastro or Oswaldo Cabrera everyday.
Yes, we absolutely would complain about Locastro. He shouldn’t even be on the roster. It’s the New York Yankees, a first place team in prime season of a “championship run.”These guys are not everyday players on any team not tanking. To pretend otherwise is being disingenuous.
You obviously don’t watch Hicks daily because he is terrible. Offensively and defensively he has cost the team games on multiple occasions. No self-respecting fans of any competing team would be okay with starting this guy.
So who exactly plays the outfield then?
Well, this goes back to the fact Hicks never should’ve been extended to begin with. Even at that, he should’ve been DFA’d. Regardless, they needed to acquire someone better, and there were plenty of options. They knew he was bad and that’s why they acquired an injured Bader who hasn’t played, which wasn’t a great move.
Stanton is sitting on the bench, he should be in LF over Hicks. Cabrera is 10x better than Hicks in the OF and he’s never played the OF before coming into the majors. He’s already got 10 runs saved.
Florial is better than Hicks and he sits the bench every night too. Andujar is even playing better than Hicks, although he’s not my favorite option.
So, Stanton, Florial, Judge, Cabrera, Andujar, and Bader, when he returns. There’s *no reason* for Hicks to be here, but particularly no reason for him to start – ever.
Stanton is obviously hurt. They’re not sitting one of their best hitters just for kicks. Florial looked horrible and managed to put up a negative wRC+ in his limited time. Hicks has been a better hitter and fielder than Andujar every year for a lot of years now. Cabrera has a 34 wRC+ in his 80 PAs so he’s been half has good a hitter as a bad backup catcher.
Truth is that Hicks is a better hitter than every one of them but Stanton and Judge while still being a competent fielder, recency bias aside. If the Yankees just played all the young guys they would still have offensive woes and the narrative would be that they had too many rookies during a playoff run.
Cabrera should start every day. He is learning and gaining experience. Hicks is washed.
Cabrera, Judge, Andujar.
I agree with you 100%
Clipper, they owed him money, so that’s all the reason the Yankees need to keep playing him. And we know that Boone is a people pleaser, and doesn’t want to hurt poor Hicks feelings by benching him.
I just hope they find someway to unload him in the off-season. I know it’s remote and unrealistic, but they’d have to pay a huge part of his salary, and probably take someone else’s deadwood in return.
I’m sorry, but I disagree that Hicks is a better fielder than Florial. Florial is a true CFer, Hicks is a corner OFer and not a good one.
Moreover, although Hicks may hit better when viewing total stats, his offense comes when the team doesn’t need it. It’s stat-padding for him. You will be hard pressed to find any Yankees fan that believes Hicks is a better option on either side of the ball than those I mentioned. When he does get in base, his base running has been a problem and he’s run into outs. He’s a total mess.
The “truth” is that Hicks has played over 100 games and has been awful, and Andujar has not been given a chance. That would be fine if Hicks was tearing up the AL pitching. He isn’t. The fact that Hicks has been on the line-up card over 100 times this season is exhibit “A” for firing Boone. Do you watch Yankees games? Andujar is a better baseball player than Hicks…including hitting.
While I’m no fan of Boone, he doesn’t set the lineups. That comes from the FO.
I agree with that
IF Hicks didn’t have 3 years/$30M left on his deal, he would have been traded/released already. His only BIG hit this year was the HR against the Astros. He did have a couple good throws too but it’s been a diappointing year. He will be traded in the offseason. How much the Yankees eat is another question. I expect Andujar and Florial to be gone also. Lots of decisions to be made.by whoever the GM is.
I know there are organizational conversations about line-ups, but Boone is signing his name to them. Does the FO decide who to bring in from the bullpen, when to pinch hit, and when to pull pitchers too?? Boone sucks.
@Yankee
Cut Cashman some slack on extending Hicks. He was coming off of a 4 win season where he seemed to finally put together a season with relative health, power (27 homers as a switch hitter), elite walkability) 90ish walks/15% walk rate) and for the most part was a much better defender historically. $10 mil per was a safe bet. Even now, $10 mil isn’t killing us. He can still draw walks and according to fangraphs is a tad on the negative side. I have no idea if he’s injured or pain not concentrating in the field but the extension was justifiable. A signing of Hicks and Servino went against the historic “no extension before free agency” policy but I think Cashman was trying to bring price certainty for future payroll and it sort of blew up in his face. But $10 mil per is not a payroll killer levels and he could certainly find a mutual change of scenery deal involving Hicks.
I understand what you’re saying, but that’s my point. The Yankees don’t need cost-savings on a CF for 7 years! He wasn’t ever healthy before that, if I recall correctly.
I do agree with most of what you said, but that wasn’t a good signing. 7 years was way too long *if they weren’t willing to cut bait if he didn’t work out*, but they aren’t, and he hasn’t. I’d cut him all the slack in the world if he didn’t act like they were in an austerity budget.
So, it’s not the extension itself, rather the ultra-commitment to the player for the length of the extension regardless of his health/play/attitude that is unwarranted.
Trade hicks, prospect, money to nats for Corbin. Change of scenery. Both have miserable contracts. 60 mil for 2 years left with Corbin. 3 years 30 mil guaranteed plus club option for hicks. Think it’s an odd trade but your stuck paying out lot of money regardless.
Scratch that oin the money being sent to nats.
Nats should be sending money to yanks to offset that gap.
@Bmore That just seems to be a bad idea to swapping trash for trash. Plus I’d think the Nats would rather keep Corbin who at least has been able to show up on the field. If Corbin can’t thrive in DC, there’s no way playing in NY is a better scenario.
When are they DFAing the whole team?
It made my heart happy hearing Hal Steinbrenner get that wonderful ovation last night lol
As soon as you become Yankee President, which will be never.
What a stupid comment by you
@Y4L
Not anymore stupid than people blaming a team effort loss on one error. Maybe score score some runs, pitch better and play defense. Frankie is trash.
There were 2 outs when Hicks dropped that ball. No runs would have scored. What don’t you get about that play???
Soon I hope
I would have thought the Yankees would sign Colin Moran as a stop gap for first.
No let the Moron go somewhere else.
I no your no.
There’s like 10-15 players on this roster who should be DFA. The worst team $250 million can buy.
This is my biggest issue with Hal and Cashman. They use the amount spent as the excuse not to spend more, and cite the terrible results as the reason not to go after key FAs. The reality is that they’ve been irresponsible with the money they’ve spent and they’ve acquired the wrong players, in large part.
I’m glad Jeter returned, but this is all eyewash from Hal. Jeter night, Paul night, next year it’ll be CC night… All to keep people coming and living in nostalgic moments, instead of our current bleak reality led by LeBooner.
Quite true clipper. It’s their obsession with short term contracts that results in large payrolls but inferior players. And they just don’t see it, because when they have signed long-term contracts, to wit, Hicks, DJ, Ellsbury, chapman,etc., they just don’t work out.
But of course they are blinded by the fact that it’s their own errors that lead to these long-term contracts not working out to begin with, and if they made smarter choices, Long-term contracts wouldwork out better.
Of course I know that in the end these long-term contracts rarely work out, because players are just signed too long past their prime ,but unfortunately that’s how you have to do it in baseball nowadays if you want the premium players.
Precisely DR, well said.
5 K’s in 6 PA’s is honestly impressive imo.
and the one time he didn’t strike out he hit into a rally-killing double play
All that work in AAA for that.
Lets not overlook the analytically obsessed (sp) front office.Judge is gone if their penny pinching ways don’t change,and if they don’t change for a player like Judge,then abandon all hope.
Hopefully the new edition to his family rejuvenates Donaldson.
The Yankees count on thirty somethings to dominate the roster, and to be their best players. No sizeable impact young talent contribution. Teams that do this have zero WS titles among them.
The average age of players on the 2009 Yankees was 30.7.
It’ll be hysterical if both the Mets and Yankees lose their divisions. Especially with that lead the Yankees had….
Garbage in, garbage out.
Kroger
Good fielder but a player who can’t hit at the current major league level.
Cashman, “Let’s call up Guzman. C’mon, he can’t possibly be as bad as he was in Texas.”
6 ABs- 5 Ks and an inning killing bases loaded DP.
What was your favorite Ronlad Guzman Yankees memory?
My favorite Ronald Guzman moment is him getting designated for assignment. I’m just hoping for another Sting Ray guarantee of a win. I could definitely get used to that. I love you Klubot! Lol.
It isn’t Hicks’ fault that Boone keeps putting him in the line-up. Andujar has to be the left fielder for now.
It’s so sad the best thing for Andujar is to get traded, somewhere where he can play everyday. He’s never going to get that chance here.
Yes I agree, there are other alternatives, Hicks is just washed up. But reportedly boone will be talking to him, so I bet we see him back in the lineup again tomorrow
I really feel like moving Montgomery hurt the Yankees he was the opitimy of the type of guys teams want he didn’t cause a fuss just went out and did his job which was be a mid rotation arm he was good for the clubhouse and good for any team I think it hurt them when they say we need a starter let’s go get montas then decide to trade away a really good mid rotation arm that was beloved in the clubhouse especially when you move him for a hurt center fielder that deal might’ve made sense this offseason but made no sense midseason
It makes no sense to trade an established LHP for an injured, light hitting outfielder. At any point in any season. How many Tim Locastros does one team need????
Hick and Donaldson to make contact with the Ball must stop moving the all body like dancing Makarena.the hitting instructor must be reemplace d.
Is there “to English” translation button I’m not seeing?
I could be mistaken here, but it appears to me as though some of the baseball have been traveling much further off the bats this month. I’ve seen baseballs that, a few months ago, would’ve been OF pop-outs, carrying over the fences.
I am curious if some baseballs were changed out due to the terrible offenses.
Clipper, strangely enough I feel like I have been seeing the opposite lately. Been watching the Dodgers and their opponents hit some the last few weeks that I refer to as “diers.” Ball looks and sounds good off that bat…then it DIES! Normally straight down into the outfielders glove. Some games the ball seems “live” and some it doesn’t. I don’t know. Then again I have been on a 2 week heat stroke so my vision isn’t what it used to be a few weeks ago.
It’s quite possible I am wrong then, sir. Maybe my anti-Manfred meter is pegged and needs to be dialed back….lol.
Haha I don’t think you are wrong….I think that it is a combination of both. Different balls being used perhaps. Not trying to create “Ball-Gate” or anything like that, but the balls have gone through so many changes that some old stock could be accidentally getting mixed in with the new ones. Most teams have a stock room filled to the brim with baseballs and who knows how well marked the boxes are.
If the Rays win the the division this year, IF!, I want to hear better excuses than Hicks. Just sayin…
You will…Cashman & Boone. They comprised the roster and played them in the field every day despite months of poor play. Oh wait, you’re already hearing it because the Yankees *shouldn’t have lost their 15 game division lead!*
Lack of grit, hustle, and heart. That’s all I’ve got.
Looks like we won’t have to worry about IF, anyhow. That 20-spot sure looks nice…
Those last 2 whoopings didn’t help, but the season is far from over.
and he was doing so well
I think Esteban Florial should play CF the remainder of the season. He’s got to be given enough a chance to show if he’s a MLB player.
Cole choking again against the last-place Red Sox at Fenway. I don’t trust this guy in the playoffs.