At catcher, the Rays took a risk that the Yankees did not.
Hitting sixth and behind the plate Wednesday was 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.
Of course, offensive contributions at the spot are nearly secondary.
