Last season, the Chicago White Sox made the understandable decision to trade first baseman Andrew Vaughn to the Milwaukee Brewers for Aaron Civale. After all, at the time of the trade, he was hitting just .189/.218/.314 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 48 games. He had even been demoted to Triple-A where he hit just .211/.328/.351 with two home runs and 11 RBI.
Civale, on the other hand, at the time of the trade, was 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in five starts with the Brewers. His ERA, though, was inflated after he gave up five runs in his start of the year. In his following four starts, he was actually pretty solid.
Unfortunately for the White Sox, the trade did not work for them.
Aaron Civale struggled with the Chicago White Sox while Andrew Vaughn thrived with the Milwaukee Brewers
Jun 15, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Aaron Civale (43) throws during the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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After the trade, Vaughn spent some time down in Triple-A for the Brewers, too. However, he was called up shortly after and hit .308/.375/.493 with nine home runs and 46 RBI in 64 games. And while no one blamed Chicago for trading Vaughn when they did (he had been struggling for a long time), it was painful to see him turn it around so quickly for another team.
Civale, meanwhile, struggled mightily in his tenure with the White Sox. In 13 starts, he was 2-7 with a 5.37 ERA. So poor was his performance that Chicago waived him.
And if the trade did not go bad enough for the White Sox, Civale was claimed by the Chicago Cubs. He then posted a 2.08 ERA for them at the end of the season.
Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Aaron Civale signed with the Athletics
White Sox pitcher Aaron Civale on the mound – Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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On Tuesday, it was reported that Civale, who pitched for three teams in 2025, has agreed to join his fourth organization in less than one year. He has agreed to a one-year $6 million contract with the Athletics. Civale can earn $1.5 million more if he hits certain incentives.
Right-hander Aaron Civale and the A’s are in agreement on a one-year, $6 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Civale, 30, adds a veteran arm to an A’s team with hopes of competing for a postseason spot this year and can make an additional $1.5 million in incentives.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 10, 2026
If Civale emerges as a solid starter for an Athletics team that accomplishes it goal of reaching the postseason, the deal will look even worse for the White Sox.
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