BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is following through on his vow to start transforming the team quickly this offseason, acquiring switch-hitting outfielder Aaron Hicks from Minnesota for catcher John Ryan Murphy and dealing infielder Jose Pirela to San Diego.
The 26-year-old Hicks appears to take Chris Young's spot on the roster, and the move could be a precursor to trading Brett Gardner. The 14th overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Hicks hit .256 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 97 games for the Twins this year, including .307 with six homers against left-handers.
Murphy was Brian McCann's backup this year and looked ready to assume a starting role elsewhere. He batted .277 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 67 games. New York considered itself deep at catcher, with Austin Romine and touted prospect Gary Sanchez in the minors.
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