The Chicago White Sox seem determined to take a big step forward in 2026 after a few very lean years. They certainly moved back on the right track last season after the historically disastrous 2024 campaign. Moreover, the White Sox front office is making definite moves in the free agent market this winter that should provide a good amount of optimism for a disheartened fanbase.
On Saturday, multiple sources reported that the Chicago White Sox completed a one-year deal worth $6 million for Austin Hays. The 30-year-old will slot into a vacant outfield position after they traded Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets earlier this month. His stellar display against lefty pitching over the past two years made Hays a very desirable commodity this offseason.
“Austin Hays is in agreement with the White Sox on a 1-yr, $6M contract,” Joel Sherman of The New York Post reported via X. “So far have used $$ made available by trading Robert Jr. on Dominguez for pen and 1 of better RH vs LHP options in Hays.”