Outfielder Austin Hays used the word “opportunity” to describe what made the Chicago White Sox an attractive option during free agency.
“I’m 30 years old, coming off a strong season last year, unfortunately I had the kidney infection the year before and wasn’t able to play as much as I would’ve wanted to,” Hays said during a videoconference call Thursday. “Last year I was able to get my health back and reestablish myself after feeling like I had a lost year.
“So going back into free agency I really wanted to go somewhere where I would have an opportunity to do that. Play every day. Get back to being able to play both sides of the ball. Play defense every day as well. There’s a tremendous opportunity with Chicago to be able to do that. I’ve got a lot to give, and I’m going to be able to give that here with this team.”
Hays and the Sox officially agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract Wednesday.
“To have that offensive force, especially against left-handed pitching, Hays is a name that (manager) Will (Venable) is going to enjoy having in that lineup,” general manager Chris Getz said during the videoconference call. “He had some health setbacks and perhaps now that the health stuff is behind him, his body is feeling really good, we can tap back into him being the All-Star he was in 2023.
“That was the enticing part of bringing in Austin Hays, let alone the individual, the quality of, the high character, makeup, that we wanted to also bring into our clubhouse.”
Under terms of the agreement, Hays will receive $5 million in 2026, with an $8 million mutual option for 2027 or $1 million buyout. To make room for Hays on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson for assignment.
Reports of the signing first surfaced on Saturday.
Hays has a career .262/.313/.435 slash line with 142 doubles, 83 home runs, 312 RBIs and 337 runs in 682 games over eight major-league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles (2017, 2019-24), Philadelphia Phillies (2024) and Cincinnati Reds (2025). He has a .282/.340/.479 career slash line (207-for-733) against left-handers.
“He mashes lefties,” Getz said. “And it’s not that he can’t handle righties either. It’s just it really jumped out to us the ability to hit left-handed pitching. When he’s healthy, he’s locked in and he’s got a relationship with (Sox director of hitting) Ryan Fuller from his Baltimore days.”
Phillies outfielder Austin Hays slides safely into second on a double against the Yankees on July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Chris Szagola/AP)
Hays earned an All-Star honor with the Orioles in 2023, finishing that season with a .275/.325/.444 slash line, 36 doubles, 16 home runs, 67 RBIs and 76 runs in 144 games.
“I love Fuller,” Hays said. “Had a great relationship with him in Baltimore (where Fuller was the co-hitting coach). We made a couple of swing adjustments that I really felt helped me make the All-Star team in 2023. I’ve been through the trenches with him. He’s helped me through a lot of things.”
Hays comes to the Sox ready to help at any outfield spot. The Sox plan on largely utilizing him in right or left field. There is an opening in right field, while left fielder Andrew Benintendi is the most-experienced returning outfielder on the club.
“He’s a guy who can play pretty good defense on both wings, so a lot of it is going to be dependent on how Will wants to put together a lineup,” Getz said. “Are we going to be more defensive focused (or) more offense today? The optimal lineup. It’s tough to tell if it’s going to be just left field or right field or which one he finds more playing time.”
Getz later said of Benintendi: “We still really like Benintendi, the left-handed bat. He’s hit 20-plus home runs the last two years. And he’s a guy that you feel good about in the lineup. What has held him back are his legs. Being able to cover ground like he used to. I know he feels good athletically right now. And that’s going to be what really dictates the amount of outfield play that he’ll get.”
After being limited to 85 games in 2024, Hays looks to build on some of his 2025 production — when he slashed .266/.315/.453 with 16 doubles, 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 103 games.
“I had to dig deep going through what I went through with the kidney infection,” Hays said. “That was a really tough year in 2024. Last year it was a very rewarding season for me. We made the playoffs and we won a lot of games. It was a really fun season. I dealt with some stuff in the beginning of the year, a little lasting effects of the kidney infection. Once I really got going, it was a great year. I felt really good.
“This year I feel like I’m way ahead of where I was starting out last year. Being able to finish the year healthy and really just feel like myself mentally and physically, being all the way back now, I’m really excited for this year.”