The Red Sox are sending right-hander Jordan Hicks to the White Sox, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Right-handed pitching prospect David Sandlin is also headed to Chicago alongside Hicks, as noted by Passan. The Red Sox are receiving right-handed pitching prospect Gage Ziehl and a player to be named later in return, according to James Fegan of SoxMachine. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports that the Red Sox are including some cash in the deal, while the White Sox will take on the majority of Hicks’s salary. Will Sammon of The Athletic specifies that Boston will send $8MM cash to Chicago as part of the deal. Chicago will need to clear 40-man roster spots for both Hicks and Sandlin in order to make the deal official.
The move is a salary dump for the Red Sox, who clear $16MM of the $24MM Hicks was owed over the next two seasons off their books. The move lowers their current luxury tax payroll to $258MM according to RosterResource, just below the $264MM marker that represents the second threshold of the luxury tax. There have been some indications dating back to the early parts of the offseason that Boston prefers to stay under that second threshold this winter, though trades for pricey veterans such as Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras in addition to the signing of Ranger Suarez had previously pushed them over that line. Trading away the bulk of Hicks’s salary has allowed them to sneak back under, though with the team still known to be looking for infield help it’s entirely possible that additional moves could change that positioning.
In order to get Hicks off the books, the Red Sox are parting ways with Sandlin. Sandlin was ranked as Boston’s #11 prospect by Baseball America headed into the 2026 campaign. The soon-to-be 25-year-old righty struggled in a 23 2/3 inning look at Triple-A last year, but pitched to an impressive 3.61 ERA across 17 outings (13 starts) at the Double-A level with a 25.4% strikeout rate. Sandlin’s viewed as a player with a chance to stick in a big league rotation who could’ve helped Boston’s bullpen as soon as this year, but now he’ll head to Chicago where he’ll have an easier chance to find a big league role in the short-term. Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, Anthony Kay, and Sean Newcomb currently stand as the team’s projected starters entering Spring Training, but Sandlin could join players like Jonathan Cannon, and fellow former Red Sox hurler Chris Murphy in standing as a primary depth option behind those players, with a chance to earn a job on the big league club out of camp this spring.
Going the other way is Ziehl, who Baseball America ranked as Chicago’s #21 prospect headed into the 2026 campaign. Acquired from the Yankees over the summer in the Austin Slater trade, Ziehl made his pro debut last year with a 4.12 ERA in 22 appearances (21 starts) across the Single-A, High-A, and Double-A levels. The righty has a five-pitch repertoire led by a solid sweeper, but the rest of his arsenal draws unimpressive marks despite previous scouting reports that suggested his fastball could top out at 97mph. The righty figures to start the year at Double-A for the Red Sox, but questions remain about whether he can be more than a long reliever in the majors.
The deal is a sensible one for the White Sox to make as they look to accelerate their rebuild and gather more credible MLB talent. After trading Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets in a deal that garnered infielder Luisangel Acuna, the Sox have reinvested in the big league club by signing Austin Hays to replace Robert in the outfield and adding Seranthony Dominguez to a bullpen that needed a competent closer. This latest move adds another young pitcher close to the majors in Sandlin while also bringing an intriguing bounce-back candidate into the fold. While Hicks wasn’t likely to have a role with the Red Sox this year after struggling to an 8.20 ERA with the club, there’s little reason for Chicago to not roll the dice on a player with an upper-90s fastball and a history of success in the majors.
Hicks has primarily pitched as a starter in recent years after signing with the Giants as a rotation piece, but his biggest successes (including a dominant 2023 season with the Cardinals and Blue Jays) saw him pitch in relief. It’s unclear what role Hicks will take with the White Sox this season, but given their lack of quality bullpen pieces (outside of Dominguez) and their deep group of potential starting options, perhaps a move back to the bullpen could make some sense for the hard-throwing righty. Should he return to the bullpen this year, he’ll have the chance to join the likes of Mike Vasil, Jordan Leasure, and Grant Taylor in handling setup duties behind Dominguez.
Put him in the bullpen
Dominguez, Leasure and Hicks could be a solid bullpen
Don’t forget Grant Taylor, though would rather see him get innings as a starter in the minors
Are the W. Sox really going to pay Hicks 17 million to relieve? Because I think he’s proven he’s no good as a starter. For that kind of money he better be closing. Getz doing what he promised and re-investing the Robert money and then some. Dominguez-Hays- Hicks. 30 million compared to 20. Hey it’s weak division, So might as well get Venable all the help he can get. It’s at least worth a golf clap( Insert here)
He gets 12, 8 of which the Sox pick up and the full 12 next year.
It’s $12M/year for 2 years before you subtract the $8M Red Sox are kicking in to make it $8M/year for the Sox.
Ok. I thought it said he was making 25 million a year. It was 24 for 2 years? OK I totally botched that one. So Getz is right on in investing the Robert money. So now the trade stands as Acuna, Some pitcher, Dominguez, Hays and Hicks for Robert. That’s a steal anyway you slice it. Well played.
Mostly a salary dump for the Red Sox and the White Sox get marginally better.
We know.
Who is the most famous philosopher to wear socks? Sockrates.
Red Sox getting out of that contract is a big win. They only paid $8m of $25m owed
But they are also adding Sandlin, so significantly less of a win.
Meh. They got back a comparable pitching prospect in Ziehl that they won’t have to add to the 40 man for a couple more years. So they in effect cleared out two 40 man spots which they can fill with free agent or trade additions. BIG win for Boston.
Sandlin has been passed by numerous other pitchers the Red Sox have acquired since they acquired him. I wouldn’t rate him a big loss.
It’s hard to know where Sandlin stoop with the WooSox. I don’t think he was going to start, too many better starting pitching prospects. He has a starters pitch mix but doesn’t miss as many bats as he should with triple digit fastball. He was right handed though and much of the pitching depth is left handed. He’s a good get for the White Sox.
“Stood”
Also probably paving the way (via these savings) to acquire FRAMBER VALDEZ, who’ll be a major asset as a lead starter.
You think the team that currently has more SP on its roster than it knows what to do with is looking to add Valdez?
Valdez is better than most of them.
Who is the worst joke teller in all of MLBTR universe? GiantsFan81
Socrates Brito played for the Snakes and Jays
Socrates used to talk and talk all day yakety yakety yak no action, became known to the kids on the playground as Socrates Taco. Then one night at summer camp they wrapped up in a series of sleeping bags. When he woke he was dubbed Socrates Brito.
Socrates couldn’t find home plato.
There is a joke somewhere about Pitchthagoras’ theorem of pitching to three corners of the plate that I have accepted I am not smart enough to write.
Noice! Was he also quite learned, literate and book smart which made him well, Read. So he became known as Read Sockrates.
Dumpster
More urban legends
Then over time Read Socrates was reduced to Red Sox
Wtffff
Deadline piece
Immediately thought soooo this means Frambor
Then saw they sent $8 million…..so they think that much of hicks.
Henry might be too focused on his soccer clubs instead of signing framber
I was more bullish on Hicks than most, but I’m perfectly happy to see him and his contract move along.
I agree Meow.
Hicks has a good chance to turn things around, but, he could also require time from the failed experiment.
Im thinking Daniel bard trajectory is possible.
But, if all it cost was sandlin to add flexibility, clear up the books some… it look OK to be at this moment in time
I respect your opinion but wow, this is a massive day and huge success for the Red Sox here. I cringed every time this guy came into the game.
Considering his massive contract, the money sent out plus so-so surplus Sandlin is a huge huge win for Boston. I’m very glad to see this deal.
Sandlin is no slouch. Good move for the White Sox
Sandlin got hit around pretty good in AAA last year, significantly dropping his stock.
They essentially bought sandlin and his potential, in exchange for taking on hicks and his potential to become a trade chip.
Seems like a solid deal to me.
Don’t sell him short he’s a tremendous slouch !!
Nice easy $17m savings for the RSox, for a guy who was probably not going to have a major role.
I said 3 years ago that the Giants would mess him up by making him into a starter. Looks like I was right. It rarely works out outside of Garrett Crotchet
To be fair, Hicks wanted to be a starter and SFG agreed to let him. That’s why he signed there at the time. He had plenty of other offers as a reliever, but chose to start.
Yep, he wanted that SP money, which he got from SF after one good year.
Wow Nostradamus on mlb trade rumors
Sox didn’t make Crochet a starter. He was always intended to be used as a starter from his stellar career as a Vol. Just placed him in the pen when they drafted and immediately deployed him on the playoff roster during the Covid yr when there was no option to pitch in the minors. Then had him in the pen to build up his strength after arm surgery.
Decent move by the Chi Sox, they get a better SP prospect vs the guy they gave up + they can flip Hicks at this deadline or next deadline
Hicks was among the very worst pitchers in baseball last year.
Hopefully they don’t continue the rotation experiment with him, his stuff plays best in the bullpen where he doesn’t have to hold back
They may be trying to turn Hicks into Garrett Crochet 2.0, just like they are trying to turn Anthony Kay into Erick Fedde 2.0.
Then they can trade Hicks back to the Red Sox for another Teel, Montgomery, Meidroth haul
A pair of teal curtains, a montgomery ward catalog and a chase lounge.
6.95 ERA, negative aWAR and sox fans like the move
Chicks dig the 100 mph fastball.
You gave me flashbacks to Bobby Parnell turning to the scoreboard after every fastball to see if he hit 100, even though his four-seamer had movement at 97 but was straight as a dart at 100.
We’ve learned to trust Bannister. Houser came in and pitched very well for us, but couldn’t for Milwaukee (a pretty good development team) or Tampa Bay (a known pitching lab). Before that, Fedde pitched well for Chicago, then poorly after he got traded. Sox don’t work magic with everyone, but we fans trust that if they targeted these guys that there’s a plan to improve them and something Bannister likes in both that he can work with.
Especially pitchers who’ve had lower body surgery and have to climb a lot of stairs. jk, Bannister is good.
Why are the Rockies not trying things like this?
Because Hicks is awful and they’d rather spend $17m on something else, most likely.
red sox want tovar. what do you want for him
Now sign Suarez even though there’s nowhere to put him. That worked out pretty well last year
Wait…which Sox are rebuilding and which are supposedly contending?!
You’ll have your answer by tomorrow. Red Sox clearing away a little money allows them to make another move. Maybe plug a hole at third base or second base?
But if you can’t wait that long for an answer, just look at the team who took on a bad contract because they have space in their payroll with no intention of using it other than a case like this where they can pick up a minor Leager with some promise.
Sounds like a win for the White Sox here. They get the better prospect for taking Hicks? Not bad all around.
Red Sox get a pitcher who threw 107.0 innings with only 19 walks and 90 strikeouts. Sandlin has big stuff, but little control. He fell down their depth chart as Connley Early and Payton Tolle passed him in addition to 7 starters with multiple MLB years on experience ahead of them. The Red Sox also open two spots on the 40-man for acquisitions.
Nobody said what they got was bad, but he’s also not two guys, and again Sandlin is still higher ranked prospect (system wise). This was a pure salary dump for the Red Sox.
White Sox are staying busy this offseason while the rest of the AL central is sleeping.
offseason champs. raise the pennant
Glad to be rid of Hicks, but don’t love swapping the P prospects. Would have liked to grab an IF prospect instead of another arm. The farm is really short on the position player side.
All they have from the Devers trade is Kyle Harrison and Bello. This is as bad as the Mookie Trade.
Question is, is it opening up a roster spot for another move.
Don’t forget all the salary they freed up! That should allow them to get a big bat in free agency… Right?
But Bello berry good, no?
Great deal for the White Sox in acquiring two high-upside relievers for very little in return.
For Red Sox, this saves a little money but mainly opens up two 40-man spots. Expecting we will see a lefty reliever, an infielder and possibly a catcher, signed within the next two weeks (another 40-man slot will open shortly).
Hicks has upside, and Sandlin is pretty good. Good dump by the Red Sox. Wonder if the Astros can pull off anything like this.
Redsox clearing money and 2 off the 40 man roster. Something is brewing 👍🏻
I’ll take an herbal tea please.
Cleaning up disorder and mess id think. I doubt its the end of moves, but, this type of move wasn’t necessary for anything big
It didnt clear the space for a large move, so, either way they would’ve been in the next cbt tier.
So the W Sox essentially flip Roberts for Hicks, Dominguez, Acuna and a couple of prospects. If, and it’s obviously a huge if, but if the second half W Sox from last season is the floor, then maybe they’ll start to appear to be a major league caliber team.
Don’t forget that they signed Austin Hays with the Robert savings too.
Good call
Bip or Tony?
White Sox are certainly moving in the right direction. Setting themselves in a good position for mid season trades as well as no long term commitments and payroll flexibility all while improving the current roster.
Pretty good off season I’d say.
I had Hicks being let go by Red Sox at the end of ST if he didnt show big improvement. So, for me, it becomes Sandlin for Ziehl and $17M savings is a big win.
But, its also a big win for WS as well, by gettting Sandlin and a possible flippable Hicks. The salary means very little to them.
Then, it is a good trade.We’re both teams. too bad they wouldn’t take massac
Maybe thats next.
I am expecting Suarez to sign with the Sox by dinner
Yuck. I pray you’re wrong
Spoiler Suarez already did, but Framber VALDEZ might.
Salary dump. Good move for the Red Sox
Huge win for Breslow to offload that contract.
But muted by having to include Sandlin to make it happen
Yes because John Henry is really struggling financially. Thank god another billionaire can feel better.
Just makes the Devers trade look even worse……
Because Devers helped get the Giants out of the playoffs, and the Red Sox into the playoffs . . . . . .
Far too early to judge the deal, but if one had to be picked at this time, it would be the Red Sox.
The difference is that we called up Roman Anthony. The team would only have been better with Devers
Maybe. We’ll never know. But, I dont see a path where the Red Sox win a WS in 2025. The move wasnt made with winning WS in 2025, it was made to make the team better for the future. $300+M tied up on a DH-Type is a bad idea.
But they got a picture that may be as good or better than sandlin
With the AL Central so wide open I think the White Sox legit gotta chance.
If these moves solidifies the bullpen
The young core continues to develop
They can compete in a weak division
I know a lot of ifs but they are trying to compete
This was a pathetic trade. I remember when the Sox would take on bad contracts to to get better prospects. Now we give away prospects to get rid of salary. We used to be a big market team,but now we are a mid market team.
Hope Jordan learned he is not a starter.
Are the Chisox actually trying to win this divisio in stealth mode? Just because no one else in the division seems to be trying to improve in a significant way, doesn’t mean you should pull your big boy pants up, stick out your chin and sign Eugenio, Framber and Zach, guys. But hey, thanks for the effort.
That’s actually a solid move for the Sox. He throws pretty hard, and could work it out and become a legitimate pitcher
sorry for sounding like a broken record but sox rly deserve the criticism
they traded a future HOFer for whats now 3 worthless prospects and kyle harrison who spent most of 2025 in AAA. oh and they owe 1/3 of hicks’ contract. boston didnt want devers on the tm anymore, fine. ridiculous, ignorant, and idiotic. but ok fine. but they literally gave him away for free. is boston’s owners and GMs just using a Magic 8 Ball?
“should we keep devers?” = outlook not good
“should we try to get elite prospects/players in return?” = Don’t count on it
“should we just move him blindly for anything at all?” = yes definitely
Devers is unlikely to make the HOF unless he becomes a GG 1B
I know we all hope freeing up two spots on the 40 man is a sign of a bigger move to come but I feel as though I’ve been fooled in the past and it’s just another move of tinkering around with the edges of the roster. But I’d be on board with bringing on both Suarez & Valdez.
BTV
Hicks -$18 million
Sandlin $6 million
Cash $ 8 million
TOTAL: -$4 million
Ziehl $1 million
Slightly favors the Red hue of Sox
Hicks gets more leeway to start, probably, in Chicago than in Boston.
I’m surprised you’re quoting BTV. It’s notoriously bad and I’d place more trust in a Jim Bowden trade analysis or FG crowdsource.
This was a pathetic trade. We used to be a team that would take on bad contracts to get prospects in return. Now we give away prospects to dump salary. I miss the 14 years when the Sox acted like a big market team., but now we are the St Louis Cardinals.
Context matters. This gives the RS some payroll wiggle room come the trade deadline to help stay under the second CBT threshold. With a young core, there’s no need to be in win-now mode every season.
If Hicks is used properly in the ‘pen the White Sox will come out OK in this. If they try to make Hicks a starter… oh my.
Now find a way to move on from Yoshida – free up the DH spot.
Teel would be nice to be that player to be named later 🤞🏻 doubt it but bye bye Hicks ur garbage 👎🏻👎🏻
What do you call a prison yard duck, who likes to orchestrate music?
Conductor
What do you call a woman who likes to travel over seas?
A broad