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- What the Hicks trade means for the White Sox bullpen
- Deal specifics: who moved and who paid what
- David Sandlin and what the White Sox get beyond Hicks
- How this trade fits a larger offseason roster plan
- Offseason additions that change the lineup and clubhouse dynamic
- Short-term expectations for 2026 and Hicks’ role
The Chicago White Sox added a veteran arm to their bullpen Sunday, acquiring reliever Jordan Hicks from the Boston Red Sox as the club continues to reshape the roster ahead of 2026. The move brings experience and depth to a relief corps that struggled through another difficult season.
What the Hicks trade means for the White Sox bullpen
Jordan Hicks arrives with a track record as a hard-throwing late-inning option. He has shown the ability to close games and bridge high-leverage innings. In 2025, Hicks logged two wins and two saves while pitching for both the Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants.
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Hicks has 35 career regular-season saves, and the White Sox see him as a piece to steady late innings. Expect Chicago to deploy him in high-leverage spots most nights.
Deal specifics: who moved and who paid what
- To Chicago: Jordan Hicks (RHP) and right-handed pitching prospect David Sandlin.
- To Boston: RHP Gage Ziehl.
- Money: The Red Sox will send $8 million of Hicks’ $24 million salary to the White Sox as part of the agreement.
This structure helps Boston manage payroll while giving Chicago a veteran arm and a prospect to aid the rebuild.
David Sandlin and what the White Sox get beyond Hicks
Sandlin is a developmental right-hander with upside. He adds depth to Chicago’s pitching pipeline and figures to compete for rotation or bullpen roles in the near future.
Prospect profile
- Right-handed pitcher with projectable stuff.
- Will likely start in the minors to refine command and secondary pitches.
- Gives the White Sox another internal option as they rebuild a pitching staff.
How this trade fits a larger offseason roster plan
The White Sox are rebuilding after another rough year. Chicago finished 2025 with a 60-102 record and yet another 100-loss season. Management has been active in the market.
- Chicago recently traded star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets.
- The team is prioritizing young players and controllable pitching.
- Spring Training begins in late February, giving new pieces time to integrate.
Offseason additions that change the lineup and clubhouse dynamic
Beyond the bullpen, Chicago added offense in free agency. The club signed Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami and outfielder Austin Hays.
- Munetaka Murakami: Expected to provide middle-of-the-order power and consistency.
- Austin Hays: Hit 15 homers in 2025 with the Cincinnati Reds and supplied solid contact and slugging earlier in the season.
Hays began 2025 with a strong hot streak and carried a high slugging rate into midsummer. Those traits attracted interest and now bolster Chicago’s lineup.
Short-term expectations for 2026 and Hicks’ role
The White Sox are unlikely to contend immediately, but they are building infrastructure for future competitiveness. Hicks brings veteran poise to a young bullpen.
- Look for Hicks in late-game situations.
- Sandlin will be monitored as a potential mid-term rotation piece.
- Other offseason moves will shape how often Hicks is used as a closer or matchup arm.
The trade signals Chicago’s plan to mix veteran help with promising youngsters as they attempt to climb out of the AL Central basement.
