The White Sox got a right-hander Jordan Hicks as more of a financial chip, allowing the Red Sox to reduce payroll at the price of an intriguing prospect. Boston waived $16MM of the $24MM it owed the veteran through 2027. To make this job easier, the Red Sox sent a right-hander. David Sandlinwho quickly entered as the top 10 prospect in the Chicago program, per FanGraphs.
It is a solid piece of business for an organization that is flexible enough to earn. Even after adding Hicks, Austin Haysagain Seranthony DominguezThe White Sox project to have the fourth lowest payroll in the league. FanGraphs’ RosterResource tool has the club at $86MM, in line with the $85MM it spent last season.
So where does that leave Hicks? He struggled for the Blacks last season and it got worse when he came to the Red Sox as part of the team Rafael Devers trade. The first experience went well with San Francisco in early 2024, but since then it seems like an ill-advised path. Hicks is now two years and three franchises removed from being the dominant nurse. He joins a Chicago roster with little talent and experience in the bullpen.
Hicks started for the Cardinals in 2018. He quickly gained notoriety for a 100 mph sinker that generated as many cool GIFs as it did broken bats. Pitch usage was an issue, as Hicks recorded an inflated 13.3% walk rate in his MLB debut. He opened the 2019 campaign as the starting closer, but a UCL tear ended his season in June. The damage will begin long after being damaged by health concerns. Hicks missed time over the next four years with elbow, forearm, neck, and arm fatigue.
St. Louis got a healthy first half from Hicks in 2023 and took advantage of the opportunity to face him in Toronto. He was solid with the Blue Jays, especially preparing for the replacement closer Jordan Romano. Hicks got a nice four-year, $44MM commitment from the Giants that season. He earned a spot in the rotation, and the transition went swimmingly. Hicks allowed two earned runs or fewer in his first seven starts against San Francisco. He increased the use of his secondary while reducing his velocity to be more consistent.
Hicks went down after a strong first month as a starter. His fastball was gradually lost as the innings piled up. After allowing 12 runs over 13 innings to open July, Hicks was moved into the rotation. He was given another shot as a starter this past season, but it turned out badly. Hicks was a reliever once he joined the Red Sox.
It seems pretty clear from the last two years of results that Hicks’ only path to a major league presence is the reliever route. That’s where Chicago’s front office stayed after signing him.
“On his floor, we have a guy who can really help us in the barn, get him back on track, because he’s been going back and forth in different roles, a few different stops along the way.,” general manager Chris Getz told reporters, including Scott Merkin of MLB.com.I think the white Sox are there [their] the better if he is at the top of the fold.”
The run prevention results were poor (8.20 ERA), but Hicks posted a solid 111 Stuff+ in 18 2/3 innings out of Boston’s bullpen. His sinker and slider were 115 and 117, respectively. Hicks’ four-seamer and splitter didn’t come off well, though he used them regularly.
“Our material grades, both in terms of metrics and our evaluations, are still really strong,” said Getz.It’s possible there’s a replacement that could fit into his arsenal … It feels like it’s in a really good place … We think he’s a guy who’s not too far from being the guy he was..”
Chicago has gone three straight seasons without a reliever posting double-digit saves. Liam Hendriks it was the last to do it, it was 37 in 2022. Jordan Leisure tied the team with seven saves in 2025. Grant Taylor again Mike Vasil combined to shut out 10 games. Leasure, Taylor, and Vasil should stay in the mix for the late innings. Dominguez may be the closer to start the year, but he’s someone who will be moved at the trade deadline if he performs well.
Hicks should get a chance to work his way up the ranks. The Dominguez trade would open the door to a two-month offense as a closer. Hicks will be under contract for $12MM in 2027. He could be an affordable stopper next season. There are “ifs” and “can’ts” in that situation, but on the other hand, Hicks sounds ready to return to a prominent role. He told reporters he hit 99.5 mph in a recent bullpen session. The assistant added that he was pain-free the next day after sitting in the 90s during discharge.
“That tells me my body is in a good place,” Hicks said.
