Yankees, Astros among suitors for reliever Jordan Hicks

Hicks could be more of a difference-maker for a playoff team than his career numbers suggest. In a five-year MLB career, the hard-throwing righty has a 3.85 ERA, but he pitched far better in the latter part of last season. The 27-year-old seemed to find his groove after being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays.

In 10 games finished for the Jays, Hicks pitched for a 2.63 ERA and 22 strikeouts, allowing only two homers. That resurgence puts him in line for a healthy contract from a team that feels it is just a little bit of help away from deep playoff runs now and into the future.

“The figures that Hicks put up in the second half … they stand out to me,” Morosi added. “Hicks’ stuff is so good, that explosive fastball is so unhittable… Those numbers with the Blue Jays affirm that ability.”

Though he’s originally from Houston, the Yankees could be the more compelling landing spot for Hicks. They leveraged their pitching depth in a blockbuster acquisition of Juan Soto, a left-handed slugger who is now expected to win the AL MVP award with his new team. If the Yankees can resolidify their pitching staff, they are certainly poised for postseason glory.

Meanwhile, the Astros are coming off of a top-10 ERA season but could see a diminished bullpen with the departure of free agent Hector Neris. Though the Astros have a projected stable that will include All-Star closer Ryan Pressly and imposing setup man Bryan Abreu, they have been linked to Hicks for weeks.

“The Astros could potentially groom him to replace Pressly, who is under contract in 2024 but has a mutual option with the Astros in 2025,” Matthew Postins wrote. “In the meantime, Hicks could join the arsenal of set-up men that should help the Astros contend in 2024.”

Regardless of where he lands, it seems Hicks has earned a spot with any number of perennial playoff contenders.