New York Yankees How the Rays’ deadline risk paid off big time — as the Yankees stayed quiet By Mark W. Sanchez Published Oct. 7, 2026, 7:45 p.m. ET Tampa Bay Rays catcher Liam Hicks (34) hits a double against the New York Yankees in the third inning of Game 1 of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, Saturday, October 3, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect At catcher, the Rays took a risk that the Yankees did not.
Hitting sixth and behind the plate Wednesday is Liam Hicks, who has been excellent since arriving from the Marlins at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Hicks, a second-year catcher who was enjoying a breakout season in Miami, was shipped across Florida and instantly turned a middling position for the Rays into a strength, replacing Hunter Feduccia as the lefty-hitting platoon partner with Nick Fortes and batting .288 with an .819 OPS in 41 games to finish the season.
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Of course, offensive contributions at the spot are nearly secondary.
