White Sox Acquire Jordan Hicks, David Sandlin in Trade With Red Sox

The Chicago White Sox continued reshaping their roster Sunday, acquiring right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks and pitching prospect David Sandlin in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal also includes financial assistance, with Boston sending $8 million of Hicks’ $24 million salary to Chicago. In return, the White Sox are sending pitcher Gage Ziehl to Boston.

Hicks, 29, spent the 2025 season with both the Red Sox and San Francisco Giants, finishing with two wins and two saves. Known for his high-velocity fastball and experience in late-inning situations, Hicks provides the White Sox with a veteran presence in a bullpen that struggled throughout last season. Sandlin, meanwhile, adds a developmental arm to Chicago’s pitching depth, giving the team flexibility for both the immediate and long-term outlook.

Chicago has been active in reshaping the roster this offseason, including the recent trade of star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets. After finishing last in the American League Central with a 60-102 record, the White Sox are eager to improve both their pitching and offensive production in 2026. Hicks is expected to help stabilize the bullpen while other offseason moves aim to strengthen the lineup.

The team has also signed Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami and outfielder Austin Hays, signaling a focus on boosting offensive firepower. Hays, who hit 15 home runs for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, started that season strongly, batting over .300 and carrying a .500 slugging percentage through late July. Combined with Murakami’s expected impact, the White Sox aim to create a more balanced roster for the upcoming campaign.

1. Hicks and Sandlin: Bolstering the Bullpen

Jordan Hicks arrives in Chicago as a veteran arm with 35 career saves and experience in high-leverage situations. The 29-year-old’s fastball velocity and late-inning experience make him a key addition to a White Sox bullpen that struggled mightily last season. David Sandlin, the right-handed pitching prospect acquired alongside Hicks, gives Chicago a developmental option for the future. While not yet major-league ready, Sandlin’s presence adds depth and potential flexibility in the pitching staff. The White Sox can groom him in the minors while relying on Hicks to contribute immediately at the big-league level. Financially, the deal is structured to ease Chicago’s burden. Boston is covering a portion of Hicks’ $24 million salary, reducing the immediate cost for a team still in a rebuild. This allows the White Sox to balance veteran experience with long-term roster flexibility. Together, Hicks and Sandlin represent a calculated approach to improving both present and future pitching depth. Hicks provides immediate bullpen stability, while Sandlin offers a developmental path that could pay dividends in the coming seasons.

2. Rebuilding the Offense

While the Hicks trade addresses pitching, the White Sox have also been active in improving their lineup. Munetaka Murakami, a highly regarded Japanese free agent infielder, is expected to contribute significantly with both power and versatility. His arrival is part of Chicago’s broader effort to rebuild a competitive roster. Austin Hays, the 30-year-old outfielder formerly with the Cincinnati Reds, adds immediate firepower to the lineup. Hays’ 2025 season included 15 home runs and strong offensive production through the first half of the year, giving the White Sox another proven bat to complement younger hitters. The combination of Hays and Murakami addresses one of Chicago’s biggest weaknesses last season: run production. The White Sox ranked near the bottom of the league in offensive output, and management hopes these acquisitions will boost both consistency and power in the lineup. By pairing offensive additions with pitching reinforcements like Hicks and Sandlin, Chicago is attempting to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term development as part of a strategic rebuild.

3. Looking Ahead to Spring Training

Spring Training begins in late February, giving the White Sox a chance to integrate Hicks, Sandlin, Hays, and Murakami into the roster. Hicks will compete for a late-inning role, while Sandlin will likely start in the minors with a path to contribute later in the season. The team’s front office has emphasized the need for both veteran leadership and young talent, with these moves reflecting a measured approach to rebuilding. By combining experience and potential, Chicago hopes to accelerate the turnaround after consecutive losing seasons. The White Sox enter 2026 with clear areas of focus: strengthen the bullpen, boost run production, and create competition among younger players. The Hicks trade and offseason signings provide a foundation to address those priorities and improve the team’s standing in the American League Central. If these moves pay off, the White Sox could move beyond rebuilding and begin competing for meaningful postseason contention once again.