The Boston Red Sox made a surprising move by trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants, acquiring, among others, former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks. Hicks, known for his blazing fastball, is nearing his return from the injured list and could be activated as early as next week, according to reports.
Hicks Eager to Contribute to Red Sox Bullpen
Hicks himself expressed excitement about joining the Red Sox, a team that showed interest in him during free agency. "I was a little bit surprised," Hicks said, referring to the trade while he was still on the IL. He added, "Besides that, I was just really excited to hear that it was a team that was pursuing me in free agency."
Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated that Hicks is likely to be activated during the upcoming series against the Cincinnati Reds. This suggests the Red Sox are keen to integrate him into their bullpen as soon as possible.
New Arsenal of Pitches
Christopher Smith of MassLive.com noted that Hicks has added new pitches to his repertoire, including splitters and sweepers. These additions could make him an even more formidable force in the late innings. "He added six splitters and four sweepers," Smith said. "He got five swings-and-misses: two with his sweeper and one each with his sinker, four-seam fastball and splitter."
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic also reported that Hicks has already moved into Devers' locker space, further signaling his imminent return to the active roster.
Hicks' career began with the Cardinals after being drafted in 2015. He spent several seasons in St. Louis before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. Now, he aims to revitalize his career with the Red Sox, potentially taking on a crucial role in their bullpen.
The Red Sox's acquisition of Hicks could prove to be a shrewd move as they look to improve their team for the remainder of this season and beyond. The move signals the Red Sox are making moves to improve the team.