The White Sox pulled off another big deal yesterday, acquiring right-handers Jordan Hicks again David Sandlintwo players to be named later, and $8MM in cash (to help cover Hicks’ $24MM salary) for a chance to play. Gage Ziehl and a player to be named later. It’s the third notable move in four days in Chicago, after the Pale Hose signing Seranthony Dominguez again Austin Hays releasing agents’ contracts.
Between the $12MM owed to Hicks in 2026, Hays’ guaranteed $6MM on a one-year deal, and the $8MM allotted to Dominguez in the first season of his two-year deal, $20MM adds up to the White Sox’s $22MM cap hit for the trio next season. It’s a very close match to the $20MM Chicago was committed to Luis Robert Jr. before the outfielder and his contract were addressed to the Mets on January 20.
“With the salary flexibility we gained from that move, we wanted to use that money on players who can help us long-term as we continue to take the next step. There are different ways to do that,” White Sox GM Chris Getz told reporters (including James Fegan of SoxMachine and Scott Merkin of MLB.com), going on to note that “adding Sandlin is actually part of Luis Robert’s return.”
That’s an eyebrow-raising comment, given that Chicago’s payroll currently sits at a paltry $85.5MM, according to RosterResource. To suggest that Sandlin’s acquisition was only possible in conjunction with Robert’s trade would mean that the Chicago club could not support a salary that included Robert, Dominguez, Hays and Hicks – but that would only push the salary to about $105MM. Maybe owner Jerry Reinsdorf won’t green-light a payroll north of $100MM just yet, but the South Siders posted an Opening Day payroll of $181MM recently in 2023 (and $193MM in 2022). Getz’s assertion that Sandlin is an indirect part of Robert’s return is either a serious matter or an eye-opening acknowledgment of the tight budget constraints imposed by Reinsdorf.
Regardless, it appears that Sandlin has been on Chicago’s radar for quite some time now, and Getz views the hard-throwing right-hander as a “we will go into Spring Training and compete for a spot” in group exchange. Sandlin has just 23 2/3 innings at Triple-A to his name, and struggled to a 7.61 ERA in that short stint with Triple-A Worcester in 2025. Even if he doesn’t crack the team’s Opening Day, it’s clear that he’ll be an option to join the elite players later in the league season.
Beyond this little skill in Sandlin, Hicks brings some experience to the pitching staff, though he’s a clean back candidate. The righty posted a 6.95 ERA between 67 1/3 innings with the Giants and Red Sox in 2025, with subpar strikeout (18.5%) and walk rates (10.2%). Hicks’ 4.41 SIERA wasn’t great either, but it’s a better representation of his performance, as he factored in bad batted-ball luck, as the injured grounder averaged .352 on balls in play.
Health was also a factor. Hicks spent less than two months on the injured list dealing with toe swelling and then tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. Earlier, Hicks told the media that he had recovered well, and was ready to throw 99.5mph in a recent bullpen session. “My body is in a good place, maybe the best since 2023,” Hicks said. “I’m ready for whatever role the team needs me in. I think I can do very well in both.” [starting and relieving]. I’m very happy with the opportunity, and I’m ready to get back on the field.”
For now, the White Sox plan to use Hicks as a relief pitcher, Getz said. This isn’t surprising considering how Hicks struggled as a starter for the Giants and was relegated to a relief role in each of the last two seasons. Hicks has spent most of his career in the bullpen and has had better results as a reliever than as a starter.
Speaking of relief pitchers, the White Sox discussed another drink during their discussions with the Red Sox. MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reports that the two sides “have deep conversations” about integration Jordan Leisure in the deal before the Red Sox instead went with Ziehl as the designated player in a two-player return.
Although Ziehl has yet to reach Triple-A, the 27-year-old Leasure has two seasons of MLB experience, and 101 games for Chicago. Leasure debuted in 2024 and posted a 6.32 ERA over 31 1/3 innings, but improved significantly on that mark with a 3.92 ERA and a 30.1% strikeout rate over 64 1/3 frames in 2025. The right-hander has an 11.2% walk rate from pitch 1, but a walk rate from pitch 2 is higher. BB% by 2024.
There’s no real reason to think Chicago is busy shopping Leasure, but it’s worth noting that they’ve at least considered it — especially given how many clubs around the league are looking for affordable help. Leisure will sit out most of next season at 27 (28 in mid-August), has minor league options remaining, and won’t be eligible for settlement until next season, when he will be a Super Two player.
