Chicago White Sox agree to one-year, $6 million contract with veteran OF Austin Hays ($5M salary + $1M 2027 option buyout + incentives).<\/p>\n
The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Austin Hays, according tomultiple reports on Saturday, January 31, 2026.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n Story continues below.<\/p>\n More Sports News<\/p>\n \t .wp-block-group__inner-container:has(> .embla), \t\tsvg { 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 Acu\u00f1a (likely center), and young prospects like Braden Montgomery (projected midseason arrival). The signing follows Chicago\u2019s addition of reliever Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez<\/a> and continues addressing depth needs ahead of Spring Training.<\/p>\n Other teams reportedly in the mix included the Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Padres, Tigers, Rangers, Cardinals, and Reds (his former club). <\/p>\n
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