Gage Ziehl delivers a pitch. Photo Credit (James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
With the start of spring training less than two weeks away, the Boston Red Sox continued to reshape their roster on Sunday. They traded RHP Jordan Hicks and pitching prospect David Sandlin to the Chicago White Sox for prospect Gage Ziehl and one player to be named later. The Red Sox will also send two players to be named later to complete the deal.
In the trade, Boston received needed salary relief, as the White Sox agreed to pay $17 million of the $25 million owed to Hicks over the next two years. While Sandlin was one of the Red Sox’s top prospects, they have added an intriguing arm in Ziehl.
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The former fourth-round pick made his professional debut last season, appearing in 22 games. In 107 innings, Ziehl posted a 4.12 ERA and struck out 90 batters. While splitting time between four levels, the 22-year-old held opponents to a .274 batting average. Although those statistics may not jump off the page, he was adjusting to higher expectations and facing more advanced competition.
For Ziehl, joining a new organization is not unfamiliar. He was originally drafted by the Yankees and sent to the White Sox in the Austin Slater deal at the trade deadline last year. Now he will get to continue improving his game in a Red Sox farm system that has had recent success developing pitching.
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Following the deal, the Red Sox have two open spots on the 40-man roster. With the offense still in need of a boost, there is now more room to get something done. They also have increased financial flexibility with most of Hicks contract off the books.
Over the next few weeks, it will be interesting to see how Craig Breslow continues to shape the roster. The Red Sox have been seen as fits for some of the top options on the trade market, such as Isaac Paredes, Matt Shaw, Nico Horner, and Brendan Donovan. With two open roster spots and money in the budget, the room is there to make a move if one that makes sense presents itself.