White Sox acquire right-hander
Jordan Hicks from Boston for prospect Gage Ziehl
[February 02, 2026]
By JIMMY GOLEN
BOSTON (AP) — The Chicago White Sox acquired right-hander Jordan
Hicks from Boston on Sunday as the Red Sox gave up one of their top
pitching prospects to unload most of Hicks' salary.
The key to the deal for Chicago could be pitching prospect David
Sandlin, who has been ranked by Baseball America as the No. 7
prospect and No. 2 pitching prospect in the Red Sox organization.
White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Sandlin, a 24-year-old
righty who split time last year in Triple-A and Double-A, will
compete for a spot in the rotation at spring training.
“He’s got a chance to really impact our starting rotation this
year,” Getz said. “He’s a guy that we feel can be a starter in the
big leagues for a long time and help us win games."
Boston also will send two players to be named and cash to Chicago in
the deal that will bring right-handed prospect Gage Ziehl and a
player to the Red Sox. Hicks had been owed $25 million over the next
two seasons, a liability that came with a hefty payroll tax for
Boston.
Hicks, 29, was 1-2 with an 8.20 ERA in 21 relief appearances for the
Red Sox last season after losing his job in the Giants rotation and
coming to Boston in the deal that sent All-Star third baseman Rafael
Devers to San Francisco. He went on the injured list as of Sept. 4
with right shoulder tendinitis and did not pitch again.
In all, Hicks is 17-35 with a 4.41 ERA in a seven-year career that
also includes time with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Getz said he is hoping that Hicks can get healthy and earn a spot in
the starting rotation, but “at his floor, I think we got a guy that
can really help us in the bullpen.” The White Sox had the fewest
saves, 25, in the majors last season.
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Boston Red Sox's Jordan Hicks reacts after striking out Houston
Astros' Carlos Correa in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Aug.
2, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)
“I am fine with either role,” Hicks said on a
conference call with reporters. “I think we are on the same page, so
we will see how the role ends up."
Boston had been searching for hitting this offseason — even before
losing third baseman Alex Bregman as a free agent — but instead
signed lefty Ranger Suárez as a free agent and picked up righty
Sonny Gray in a trade with the Cardinals. The moves left them with a
potential pitching glut — along with a potential luxury tax bill —
and the opportunity to move some arms for hitters.
The White Sox traded center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York
Mets last month, and Getz said they would reinvest the $20 million
in savings in the team. He then signed right-hander Seranthony
Domínguez to a two-year, $20 million deal and added Hicks.
Sandlin, a 24-year-old righty, is 13-12 with a 4.38 ERA in four
minor league seasons. To make room for Hicks and Sandlin on the
40-man roster, the White Sox designated right-hander Jairo Iriarte
and catcher Drew Romo for assignment.
Ziehl is a 22-year-old 11th-round draft pick who has pitched one
game above Class A.
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AP Baseball Writer Jay Cohen in Chicago contributed to this report.
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