The White Sox acquired right-hander Jordan Hicks as little more than a financial chip, allowing the Red Sox to trim payroll for the price of an intriguing prospect. Boston escaped from $16MM of the $24MM they owed the veteran through 2027. To facilitate the maneuver, the Red Sox sent over right-hander David Sandlin, who immediately slotted in as a top 10 prospect in Chicago’s system, per FanGraphs.
It’s a solid piece of business for an organization with ample payroll flexibility. Even after adding Hicks, Austin Hays, and Seranthony Dominguez, the White Sox project to have the fourth-lowest payroll in the league. FanGraphs’ RosterResource tool has the club at $86MM, right in line with the $85MM it spent last season.
So where does that leave Hicks? He struggled with the Giants last season and was even worse when he came to the Red Sox as part of the Rafael Devers trade. The starter experience went well with San Francisco early in 2024, but has since looked like an ill-advised path. Hicks is now two years and three franchises removed from being a dominant reliever. He joins a Chicago roster with little in the way of talent and experience in the bullpen.
Hicks debuted with the Cardinals in 2018. He quickly gained notoriety for a 100-mph sinker that generated just as many cool GIFs as it did broken bats. Harnessing the pitch was an issue, as Hicks recorded a bloated 13.3% walk rate in his first MLB stint. He opened the 2019 campaign as the primary closer, but a UCL tear ended his season in June. The injury would kick off a lengthy stretch marred by health concerns. Hicks missed time over the next four years with elbow, forearm, neck, and arm fatigue issues.
St. Louis got a healthy first half out of Hicks in 2023 and used the opportunity to deal him to Toronto. He was solid with the Blue Jays, mostly setting up for incumbent closer Jordan Romano. Hicks landed a decent four-year, $44MM commitment from the Giants that offseason. He earned a spot in the rotation, and the transition initially went swimmingly. Hicks allowed two earned runs or fewer in his first seven starts with San Francisco. He expanded the usage of his secondaries while trimming his velocity to a more sustainable level.
Hicks trended down after the solid first month as a starter. His fastball steadily lost ticks as the innings piled up. After allowing 12 runs across 13 innings to open July, Hicks was booted from the rotation. He was given another shot as a starter this past season, but it went even worse. Hicks was strictly a reliever once he joined the Red Sox.
It seems pretty clear from the past two years of results that Hicks’ lone path to big-league viability is as a reliever. That’s where the Chicago front office landed after bringing him in.
“At its floor, we have a guy who can really help us in the bullpen, get him back on track, being that he’s been kind of back and forth on different roles, a couple of different stops along the way,” general manager Chris Getz told reporters, including Scott Merkin of MLB.com. “I think the White Sox are at [their] best if he’s at his best in the bullpen.”
The run prevention results were bad (8.20 ERA), but Hicks posted a strong 111 Stuff+ in 18 2/3 innings out of the Boston bullpen. His sinker and slider were at 115 and 117, respectively. Hicks’ four-seamer and splitter graded out poorly, though he used them infrequently.
“Our stuff grades, both metrically and our scouting evaluations, are still really strong,” Getz said. “There’s likely some tweaking that can go with his arsenal … It sounds like it’s in a really good spot … We think he’s a guy that is not too far off from being the guy he once was.”
Chicago has gone three straight seasons without a reliever securing double-digit saves. Liam Hendriks was the last to do it, with 37 in 2022. Jordan Leasure paced the team with seven saves in 2025. Grant Taylor and Mike Vasil combined to close out 10 games. Leasure, Taylor, and Vasil should remain in the late-inning mix. Dominguez will likely be the closer to start the year, but he’s a candidate to get moved at the trade deadline if he performs well.
Hicks should get the chance to work his way into high-leverage spots. A Dominguez trade would open the door for a two-month trial as the closer. Hicks will be under contract for $12MM in 2027. He could serve as an affordable stopper next season. There are several “ifs” and “coulds” in that scenario, but for his part, Hicks sounds ready to return to a prominent role. He told reporters that he hit 99.5 mph in a recent bullpen session. The reliever added that he wasn’t sore the next day after sitting in the upper 90s during the outing.
“That’s telling me that my body’s in a good place,” Hicks said.
Dominguez being the closer over Taylor is just such a White Sox choice. Why have your future closer and better pitcher do the gig when you could have the objectively worse option?
Because Taylor is a starter eventually and is bringing deployed as a multi inning high leverage reliever in the interim. Similar path to what “such a White Sox choice” did with Sale and Crochet. Try to keep up
DDT
“Try to keep up”
Troll
Completely unnecessary insult
Not completely
“Why have your future closer and better pitcher do the gig when you could have the objectivly worse option?” That’s why.
Yes. As things stand currently, Seranthony Domínguez figures to be the White Sox opening day closer. Jordan Hicks looks to their veteran right-handed set-up option along with 27-year old “youngster” Jordan Leasure.
Sean Newcomb ought to be the White Sox main late inning southpaw despite their promise to him as a rotation candidate. Brandon Eisert is currently their #2 left-handed relief option.
Grant Taylor is scheduled to assume the role Mike Vasil held last season. The White Sox are looking to stretch his arm out with a 100-inning goal in order for him to be ready for a rotation spot come 2027.
Similar to Newcomb, Vasil is also being afforded an opportunity to claim a starting role this spring. That could change if the White Sox sign a veteran SP in the coming days and weeks which is anticipated. I personally believe Vasil is best suited to continue the role he had last season as a versatile option out of the bullpen. With talented young near MLB ready TOR possibilities on the horizon like Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith, to say nothing of Taylor and Shane Smith, Vasil’s future role with the White Sox is probably in the bullpen.
Aside from a high ceiling rotation of Schultz, Taylor, and the two Smith’s, I’m also bullish on Drew Thorpe, Davis Martin and Tanner McDougal as mid-tier starters along with Sean Burke at the backend. The White Sox future rotation has a big arrow pointing up with some decent depth which is always need in MLB. 🙂
I’ve heard the term “opening day starter” but not “opening day closer”. Is that new?
Dang, so many talent evaluators in these “message boards” that Im surprised they are not hired by MLB teams. Pretty sure lots of these posters never made their high school team, but continue to post such dribble about real MLB players & their roles moving forward. Stop it people..nobody cares about your evaluations & possible roster moves.
Well yeah, that’s what most of us do around here. You’re just now noticing that?
As baseball fans, we asses, evaluate and opine about players and the game of baseball.
Excellent and correct baseball points, though insults tend to diminish the impact of messages… High Road Educator maybe…
There are also personal, value and financial factors here.
Upon signing it was reported that Dominguez was expected to be the closer. He was likely promised first-crack at closing as a verbal agreement. Breaking that agreement immediately could sour relationships both with himself and future free agents.
If Dominguez pitches well as the closer, he would have marginally more trade value than if he pitched well as the setup man. The White Sox likely aren’t a playoff team yet, so being able to trade him and recoup greater value as soon as this trade deadline would be quite beneficial.
Arbitration negotiations tend to grant larger pay for closers than other relievers. Even if Taylor were to eventually become the closer, or a starter, his past of not being a closer in his pre-arb years will lower the financial impact of all 3 arbitration seasons, saving the White Sox significant money (assuming he becomes a very good player).
Can somebody tell me what a “White Sox choice” is? Taylor’s nowhere near being a closer. So I’m guessing that slotting in a successful closer in Dominguez over a guy just trying to build up innings and to get his stuff to play in the bigs is the quintessential White Sox choice.
If the White Sox were serious contenders in 2026 Grant Taylor would likely be an 8th or 9th inning pitcher, just like Chris Sale was when he began his MLB career back in 2010 and 2011. Taylor’s stuff and control is akin to Sale’s. His floor is that of an elite closer but his overall pitching tools suggest a potential TOR, just like Sale.
When Sale was drafted out of college his two best pitches were his fastball and changeup, with elite command of each offering. Sale was purposely used as a late inning reliever to maximize his fastball while the coaching staff worked on improving his breaking pitches. Sale developed a wipe-out slider in the bullpen which enabled him to become an ace by 2012.
Taylor actually possesses a better arsenal of pitches now compared to Sale at a similar stage of their development. Taylor sports elite fastball velocity of 98–101 mph with late life and high spin rates. He also has a high-spin 12-to-6 curveball (upper 70s) and a sharp slider (mid-80s), along with a 90-93 mph cutter.
Unlike Sale, Taylor has had more injury issues early in his career. He needed TJ surgery in 2023 which wiped out his final season at LSU. Despite that setback, he was still selected by the White Sox in the second round of 2023 MLB June Amateur Draft. He made his pro debut in 2024 and was limited to just 19 1/3 innings between Rookie-level and Single-A Kannapolis due to a lat injury. Taylor was healthier last season aside from a mild right groin strain that he suffered in early September.
Due to all these injuries, Taylor has had a limited workload since 2022, similar to the early career path of Garret Crochet. As a result, the White Sox are being prudent in building up Taylor’s innings while also utilizing his elite talent in their MLB bullpen, just like they did with Sale and Crochet before.
Dumpster well said !
He still might start longterm. And not a bad thing to not be thrown right into closer role. Domínguez can close and Taylor can take over once he’s dealt
The White Sox have a pretty good track record when it comes to taking young arms and deploying them in high leverage bullpen roles before blossoming into TOR starters. They may be a mess overall but I think they have earned some trust in their decision-making when it comes to their young pitchers.
The White Sox actually do a decent job of developing and retooling pitchers. There’s multiple examples of them picking guys up changing a couple pitches or mechanics and all of a sudden they have something. Too bad they home grow a hitter about once a decade..
Their recent pitching successes were likely the result of Senior Pitching Director Brian Bannister’s influence. Hopefully that continues to be the case after former White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz was let go this past November.
Overall the White Sox do slightly above average when developing pitchers. It amazes me how the org is terrible in most aspects such as ownership, developing batters, etc but catches fire in developing pitchers.
Things are already looking up on the ownership front and could become a permanent reality as soon as 2029. 🤞
It has been a while since it was difficult to tell what goes to the dump or gets saved while sifting through sooty White Sox debris and rubble.
Said the clown!!!
Sir Anthony hopefully is Sock for the long stay as we compete for the division!
Sooty debris and rubble like Sergefunction underpant
In the long run, and probably in the short run, Taylor is a starter and Hicks is a reliever, so that’s the way they should go.
Hicks has very good stuff and a live fastball. He just needs to harness it and throw his splitter more.
There’s no reason he can’t succeed again; if he looks good mid-season Chicago has a very nice trade chip.
Smart trade by the White Sox.
They just need to let Hicks be a relief pitcher again. Low leverage at first, one inning at a time, don’t overwork him. Let him go out there and pump 100 MPH in short stints.
Alberto throws 100mph and he was 100K. Had two good pitchers in Alberto and Paez. Paez better than Sandlin.
16M on Hicks and Sandlin, worst trade of ’26 by a long shot.
Ziehl will probably end up being the best pitcher included in the trade.
Lol
So the Red Sox basically got a half season of Dustin May and whatever they can squeeze out of Kyle Harrison for Devers then…
Hey they used the money saved to sign Bregman back
Bregman was underwhelming last season. Missed 2 months. Couldn’t run when he came back. I like the Ranger Suarez signing better than bringing Bregman back.
Hey, they stole Chris Sale from the White Sox for Yoan Moncada, isn’t that enough for Red Sox fans?
brews -More like a 6th of a season from May, only 6 appearances.
Funny thing is he sucked in his last game for the Dodgers, against the Red Sox. And yet for some reason that inspired Breslow to acquire him.
Diva Devers and his me first attitude is gone. Major plus for Boston. There out from under that bloated contract and bloated body. Well done Sox!
Ha ha. Still. It runs deep !
Id be excited for Hicks as a reliever
Hicks’ future depends on his ability to get outs. If he pitches well he’ll be moved to a contender. If not, he’ll probably be released next winter
Isn’t that the future for all pitchers?
Basically. That’s why it’s not really an actual question
Rsox – Weird conversation, I’ll just add actually very few pitchers who pitch well get moved to a contender, and even fewer who pitch poorly get released the following offseason.
Hicks is running out of time and opportunities, that’s what makes his situation unique.
Careful Mr. Hicks the future people might try to take your job
After a couple of years, its looking like Daniel Bard; the sequel.
I hope for Hick’s sake the long term solution is better then the Bard ending.
I’d love to see him bounce back into becoming a really solid reliever.
Why would anyone want a future with the White Sox unless they are able to tie them to a comically bad over oay ( Andrew Benintendi)? CWS is where you go to resurrect your career for some real money on a real team kater on.
I bet you’d jump for a spot on ChiSox roster…..as jockstrap washer
I already have that job with the Dodgers and everything is gold plated, even the jockstraps! I’ll send you a pair though, it’s probably the closest you will ever get to a world series trophy as a White Sox fan.
I love that reply ☄️
The dumbest trade of the season, spending 16M on a project in Hicks when you have two good projects on the roster in Paez and Alberto.
Add Sandlin who shouldn’t be ahead of Duncan Davitt or Jonathan Cannon on any depth chart. If you get Early in that trade its worth taking on Hicks, Sandlin isnt.
Sandlin is destined for the bullpen.
I have to think there was some sort of glad-handing between the White Sox and the Red Sox on this trade at the ownership level.
Taking on that contract, jeopardizing Alberto and Paez, Sandlin isnt a big get. Terrible.
It’s highly unlikely Alberto and Paez crack the OD roster.
It should have been a veritable lock if you are going to draft a guy in the rule five, you should be prepared to give him at least until the end of May on the big league club.
And I’ll go a step further, in a year that is a tear down and a rebuild, you should commit to them both until the all-star break.
The Sox signed Murakami and went off their script to appease their new Japanese overlords.
I say trade Murakami to the Mets for Baty straight up, send Sandlin with him.
Would be a terrible trade plus White Sox don’t need a 3B since Colson Monty will be 3B long term.
TUD, you will likely be correct about Colson Monty and Murakami at first base is a fine idea too.
Middle of the pack??? That’s just freaking dumb… Haters gotta hate…. Hate on mooks… 🤣
Negative 1.8 WAR last year. Ouch
Wait until 2030 for his best year.
Stop trying to be Fangraphs. This is a lightly-researched article that looks like it belongs on a White Sox fan blog. You’re a transaction-focused website, and you are not talking at all about his extension or trade candidacy. Instead some weak attempt at statistical analysis. Stay in your lane.