Chicago White Sox agree to one-year, $6 million contract with veteran OF Austin Hays ($5M salary + $1M 2027 option buyout + incentives).

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Austin Hays, according tomultiple reports on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The deal is worth $6 million overall, structured as $5 million in 2026 salary plus a $1 million buyout on a mutual option for 2027, with up to $375,000 available in performance incentives tied to plate appearances. The agreement is pending a physical.

Hays, 30, is a 2023 All-Star who split time with the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds in recent years. In 2025 with the Reds, he batted .266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 16 doubles, and five triples across 103 games and 380 at-bats, though he missed 59 games due to injuries. He started hot (.300+ AVG into late June) and has historically provided strong production against left-handed pitching.

Career-wise, Hays owns a .262 batting average, .313 on-base percentage, .435 slugging percentage (.748 OPS), 83 home runs, 312 RBI, and 24 stolen bases over 2,408 at-bats (eight seasons, primarily with the Orioles).

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For the rebuilding White Sox under GM Chris Getz, Hays brings veteran stability, right-handed power, and outfield defense to a group thinned by the recent trade of Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets. He is expected to compete for time in right field or a platoon role alongside Andrew Benintendi (left field), newcomer Luisangel Acuña (likely center), and young prospects like Braden Montgomery (projected midseason arrival). The signing follows Chicago’s addition of reliever Seranthony Domínguez and continues addressing depth needs ahead of Spring Training.

Other teams reportedly in the mix included the Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Padres, Tigers, Rangers, Cardinals, and Reds (his former club).