The Crimson Sox have swung their twelfth commerce of the offseason, this time unloading a highly-paid reduction pitcher in a wage dump as a part of a prospect-for-prospect swap.
The Crimson Sox introduced Sunday they’ve traded right-handers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin and two gamers to be named later to the Chicago White Sox in trade for minor league right-hander Gage Ziehl and a participant to be named later. The Crimson Sox may even ship $8 million in money to the White Sox, who will cowl the remaining $16 million of the $24 million owed to Hicks over the following two years.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report information of the commerce, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon had been first with the return for Boston.
The transfer additionally opens two spots on the Crimson Sox 40-man roster, which now stands at 38.
Initially acquired as a part of the Rafael Devers commerce, Hicks is likely one of the hardest throwers in MLB and was as soon as among the many sport’s prime relievers. However Hicks struggled immensely all through 2025, posting a 6.95 ERA over 67 1/3 innings break up between the San Francisco Giants and the Crimson Sox.
Hicks’ difficulties had been particularly pronounced in Boston, posting an 8.20 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 12 walks in solely 18 2/3 innings following his arrival.
On condition that Hicks was attributable to earn $12 million per 12 months over the following two years, the 29-year-old would doubtless have been given one other shot within the Crimson Sox bullpen this season regardless of his current efficiency. As a substitute, he’ll get a recent begin with a brand new group, whereas the Crimson Sox open up a bullpen spot whereas clearing some wage off the books.
In keeping with Red Sox Payroll, who tracks the membership’s financials for SoxProspects.com, Boston’s payroll is now estimated at $260.9 million.
In an effort to transfer Hicks, the Crimson Sox needed to bundle a promising younger pitcher.
Sandlin was considered one of three arms the membership added to the 40-man roster this previous November to guard him from the Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old was initially acquired from the Kansas Metropolis Royals within the John Schreiber commerce, and this previous season he posted a 4.50 ERA in 106 innings break up between Double-A and Triple-A.
He entered 2026 ranked as Boston’s No. 11 prospect based on Baseball America.
Ziehl, who the Crimson Sox will obtain in return, ranked because the White Sox’s No. 21 prospect. The 22-year-old was initially a fourth-round choose by the Yankees out of Miami within the 2024 MLB Draft and was traded to Chicago final summer season in trade for outfielder Austin Slater. The 6-foot righty posted a 4.12 ERA over 107 innings (22 outings, 21 begins) in his first full season as knowledgeable, together with a 4.01 ERA in six begins with Chicago’s Excessive-A affiliate following the commerce.
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