The Chicago White Sox on Sunday acquired veteran right-hander Jordan Hicks and pitching prospect David Sandlin in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, continuing to reallocate funds saved from the Luis Robert Jr. trade.
While Hicks is the most notable name in the deal, the Red Sox also acquired Grade-A right-hander Gage Zeal, Chicago values Sandlin more and is willing to take on the majority of Hicks’ salary to facilitate a trade, sources told ESPN.
“We wanted to spend that money on a player who could help us long-term,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said of the $20 million he cleared by sending Robert to the New York Mets in January.
Hicks, 29, was traded for the second time in the last year after leaving San Francisco for Boston in a blockbuster deal for Rafael Devers. Hicks is owed $25 million over the final two seasons of his four-year, $44 million contract, and Chicago agreed to pay $17 million of that due to Sandlin’s addition.
The White Sox will also acquire two players to be designated later in the deal and will send the designated players to the Red Sox.
Other White Sox moves since Robert’s trade include signing closer Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract, signing outfielder Austin Hayes to a one-year, $6 million contract, and now acquiring Hicks, who is most effective as a relief pitcher and can also start.
“I think the White Sox are in the best position if they do the following:” [Hicks] “He’s at his best in the bullpen,” Goetz said.
The Red Sox were looking to trade from a deep well of starting pitchers, but with no clear path for the 24-year-old Sandlin, they allowed Hicks to release all but $8 million he was owed.
Sandlin split time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, posting a 4.50 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 106 innings. Sandlin’s arsenal, with a fastball that can reach 100 mph, plus a sweeper and splitter, could give him a chance to earn a spot in the rotation in Chicago this season as the White Sox look to improve after going 60-102 last year following a record 121-loss season in 2024.
“We believe he has a mid-rotation, maybe even more type of arsenal,” Goetz said. “Time will tell. He has a chance to make a big impact on our starting rotation this year.”
Hicks just hopes to get back on track. Since signing a long-term deal with San Francisco before the 2024 season, he has pitched 177 innings with a 5.19 ERA and opponents hitting .277/.364/.425. Although Hicks’ home run rate remains high due to his heavy, hard sinker, good contact against Hicks is not mitigated.
“There could probably be some adjustments made to his arsenal,” Goetz said. “A lot of it will depend on how his body moves when we’re around him. He seems to be in a really good position.” [in terms of health]. ”
Hicks said he feels the best he’s felt since the 2023 season and is willing to do whatever it takes, whether it’s as a reliever or a starter, to help the White Sox win.
“We know it’s a young team,” Hicks said. “It’s always exciting. … I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to be one of the older guys on the team and take on a leadership role … to be the guy the other players can rely on.”
Zeal, 22, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2021 when Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was the Cubs’ pitching director, but he instead attended the University of Miami. The New York Yankees selected him in the fourth round in 2024 and sent him to the White Sox at last year’s trade deadline. In his first professional season, Zeal appeared in 22 games and pitched 107 innings, posting a 4.12 ERA and 4.74 strikeout rate.
To make room for Hicks and Sandlin on the 40-man roster, the White Sox designated right-hander Jairo Iriarte and catcher Drew Romo.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers contributed to this report.