Yankees avoid arbitration with Tommy Kahnle, Aaron Hicks

The Yankees have avoided arbitration with outfielder Aaron Hicks and reliever Tommy Kahnle. Hicks will make $2.8 million in 2018 with Kahnle getting $1.3 million.

https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/951609733118541824

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/951587951506583554

Kahnle was 2-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 69 relief appearances last year between the White Sox and Yankees. He was acquired on July 19 along with David Robertson and Todd Frazier. In 32 games with the Bombers, he went 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA.

Despite an injury filled 2017, Hicks had his best year in the Bigs. The switch-hitter slashed .266/.372/.475 with 15 homers and 52 RBI in 88 games.

With Hicks and Kahnle locked up, six arbitration eligible players remain: Sonny Gray, Austin Romine, Didi Gregorius, Chasen Shreve, Adam Warren and Dellin Betances. The team's projected tax payroll now sits around $178 million, well below the $197 million luxury tax threshold they are determined to stay under.