02/01/26 04:32:00
Printable Page
02/01 16:30 CST White Sox acquire right-hander Jordan Hicks from Boston for
prospect Gage Ziehl
White Sox acquire right-hander Jordan Hicks from Boston for prospect Gage Ziehl
By JIMMY GOLEN
AP Sports Writer
BOSTON (AP) --- The Chicago White Sox acquired right-hander Jordan Hicks from
Boston on Sunday as the Red Sox gave up one of their top pitching prospects to
unload most of Hicks' salary.
The key to the deal for Chicago could be pitching prospect David Sandlin, who
has been ranked by Baseball America as the No. 7 prospect and No. 2 pitching
prospect in the Red Sox organization. White Sox general manager Chris Getz said
Sandlin, a 24-year-old righty who split time last year in Triple-A and
Double-A, will compete for a spot in the rotation at spring training.
"He's got a chance to really impact our starting rotation this year," Getz
said. "He's a guy that we feel can be a starter in the big leagues for a long
time and help us win games."
Boston also will send two players to be named and cash to Chicago in the deal
that will bring right-handed prospect Gage Ziehl and a player to the Red Sox.
Hicks had been owed $25 million over the next two seasons, a liability that
came with a hefty payroll tax for Boston.
Hicks, 29, was 1-2 with an 8.20 ERA in 21 relief appearances for the Red Sox
last season after losing his job in the Giants rotation and coming to Boston in
the deal that sent All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers to San Francisco. He
went on the injured list as of Sept. 4 with right shoulder tendinitis and did
not pitch again.
In all, Hicks is 17-35 with a 4.41 ERA in a seven-year career that also
includes time with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Getz said he is hoping that Hicks can get healthy and earn a spot in the
starting rotation, but "at his floor, I think we got a guy that can really help
us in the bullpen." The White Sox had the fewest saves, 25, in the majors last
season.
"I am fine with either role," Hicks said on a conference call with reporters.
"I think we are on the same page, so we will see how the role ends up."
Boston had been searching for hitting this offseason --- even before losing
third baseman Alex Bregman as a free agent --- but instead signed lefty Ranger
Surez as a free agent and picked up righty Sonny Gray in a trade with the
Cardinals. The moves left them with a potential pitching glut --- along with a
potential luxury tax bill --- and the opportunity to move some arms for hitters.
The White Sox traded center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets last
month, and Getz said they would reinvest the $20 million in savings in the
team. He then signed right-hander Seranthony Domnguez to a two-year, $20
million deal and added Hicks.
Sandlin, a 24-year-old righty, is 13-12 with a 4.38 ERA in four minor league
seasons. To make room for Hicks and Sandlin on the 40-man roster, the White Sox
designated right-hander Jairo Iriarte and catcher Drew Romo for assignment.
Ziehl is a 22-year-old 11th-round draft pick who has pitched one game above
Class A.
___
AP Baseball Writer Jay Cohen in Chicago contributed to this report.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
|
