NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that outfielder Aaron Hicks and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $70 million, seven-year contract that adds $64 million in guaranteed money over six seasons.
Hicks’ agreement includes a club option for 2026 that could make it worth $81.5 million over seven seasons, the person said Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been announced.
Hicks agreed on Jan. 11 to a $6 million, one-year contract and would have been eligible for free agency after the season.
His new, superseding deal calls for the 29-year-old to receive a $2 million signing bonus and keeps the $6 million salary this year. He gets $10.5 million annually from 2020-23 and $9.5 million in each of the following two seasons. The Yankees have a $12.5 million option for 2026 with a $1 million buyout.
Hicks would get a $1 million assignment bonus the first time he is traded. He receives a hotel suite on road trips.
New York has not given many multiyear contracts to players under its control in recent years, but the Yankees gave right-hander Luis Severino a $40 million, four-year deal on Feb. 15.
Shortstop Didi Gregorius and reliever Dellin Betances remain eligible for free agency after this season.
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