White Sox Pull Off A Sneaky Good Trade With Boston

Over the past week or so, the White Sox have been very busy, as they have signed multiple free agents and traded away Luis Robert Jr. They continued that trend today, as they made another significant trade. According to Jeff Passan, the White Sox have acquired pitchers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin from the Boston Red Sox. Sources confirm that the White Sox will send prospect Gage Ziehl, who was acquired in the Austin Slater trade, back to the Red Sox.

Trade news: The Chicago White Sox are acquiring veteran right-hander Jordan Hicks and right-handed pitching prospect David Sandlin in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 1, 2026

This is perfect timing, as we wrote yesterday about how the White Sox could line up in a trade for a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox are sending $8 million (of Hicks’ $24 million) to Chicago as part of this trade, league sources said. https://t.co/Gd5ukaKToS

— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) February 1, 2026

According to Will Sammon, the Red Sox are also sending money, so the White Sox won’t be on the hook for the full 2 years and 24 million left on Hicks’ salary.

Hicks is a very interesting player, as he has had a bit of an up and down career. While last year didn’t go as planned, as he had a 6.95 ERA over 65 innings, he had solid 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2024, he started 20 games for the Giants, pitching to a 4.10 ERA over 109 innings. He struck out 96 batters in that timeframe. In 2023, he worked exclusively as a reliever, posting a 3.29 ERA over 65 innings. He struck out 82 batters in those innings.

While Hicks can have trouble finding the zone at times, he has some absolutely filthy stuff and could help bolster the pitching staff this season, especially if he can get back on track to his 2023/24 seasons.

Jordan Hicks, K'ing the Side. pic.twitter.com/miUKEOcJDB

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 1, 2025

It is unclear whether the Sox will use him as a starter or a reliever, but I believe he would profile best in a late inning relief role, where he can reach 103 with his fastball.

The prize for the White Sox here is prospect David Sandlin, who ranked as the 8th best prospect in the Boston Red Sox system, according to the 2025 MLB Pipeline Top-30 Boston Red Sox prospects list.

Sandlin was very effective last season in AA, as he had a 3.62 ERA over 82 innings. He stuck out 86 batters, had a 1.14 WHIP, and a very good .227 batting average against. He struggled when he was promoted to AAA, but he has been effective over his minor league career as a whole.

Prospect Spotlight: David Sandlin

Fastball: 60 | Massive life and triple-digit ceiling.
Slider: 60 | High-spin, mid-80s "sweeper" style break.
Splitter: 50 | Improving third offering to keep lefties honest.
Control: 50 | Consistent strike-thrower (3.0 BB/9 in AA)

The 2025… pic.twitter.com/HwgIzaIbN0

— oBAWanKenobi (@wOBAWanKenobi) February 1, 2026

Sandlin has some disgusting stuff and the White Sox will look to work with that, as he will likely compete for a rotation spot to open up the year.

The times seem to be changing for the White Sox organization, as this seems like the first time the White Sox have actually eaten salary of a player to take on a prospect they like. Overall, I like this trade for the White Sox, as they add some electric arms to their pitching staff.