White Sox Acquire Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin in Trade with Red Sox: A New Chapter for Chicago’s Rotation and Bullpen

By Jeff Passan – February 1, 2026, 07:56 PM

In a move that signals their continued retooling efforts, the Chicago White Sox have acquired veteran right-hander Jordan Hicks and pitching prospect David Sandlin in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. This deal is the latest in a series of moves the White Sox have made to reallocate funds following the Luis Robert Jr. trade to the New York Mets earlier in January. The trade, which involves some notable players and salary adjustments, has the potential to reshape Chicago’s pitching staff for the 2026 season.

Trade Details and Financial Strategy

The White Sox have long been known for making bold moves, and this trade is no exception. The team is focused on using the savings from Robert’s departure to build for the long term, and the acquisition of Hicks and Sandlin is a reflection of that strategy. Although Hicks is the most recognizable name in the deal, the White Sox have shown they value Sandlin more and were willing to absorb a significant portion of Hicks’ salary to secure the trade.

According to White Sox general manager Chris Getz, the $20 million freed up by trading Robert was intended to be reinvested in players who could contribute to the team’s future success.

“We wanted to utilize that money toward players that can help us for the long term,” Getz said, noting that the financial flexibility provided by the Robert trade is crucial in shaping the team’s future.

In exchange for Hicks and Sandlin, the Red Sox received Class A right-hander Gage Ziehl. Additionally, the White Sox will send a player to be named later to Boston, with the deal also involving two players to be named later in return.

Jordan Hicks: A Veteran Presence for the White Sox

Hicks, 29, has been traded for the second time in the last year, following his move to Boston from San Francisco as part of the Rafael Devers blockbuster deal. Hicks is owed $25 million for the final two years of his four-year, $44 million contract, and the White Sox agreed to take on $17 million of this salary as part of the deal.

Though Hicks has had his struggles recently, with a 5.19 ERA and opponents hitting .277/.364/.425 against him over 177 innings since signing his long-term deal, there’s potential for a return to form in Chicago. Hicks has a reputation for his strong home run rate, thanks to his heavy, hard sinker, but it hasn’t been enough to keep good contact hitters from making solid contact.

The White Sox are hoping that with a change of scenery, Hicks can reclaim his effectiveness, either as a starter or a reliever. Chris Getz has acknowledged that Hicks’ best role might be in the bullpen, where he can use his explosive stuff to great effect in shorter outings.

“I think the White Sox are at their best if [Hicks] is at his best in the bullpen,” Getz said, clearly leaning toward utilizing Hicks in a more focused role. The key, however, will be whether Hicks can make adjustments to his arsenal, a process that will be closely monitored by Chicago’s coaching staff.

Hicks himself has expressed excitement about joining a young and talented team in Chicago and is eager to take on a leadership role.

“I know it’s a young squad,” Hicks said. “That’s always exciting… I’m just extremely blessed to have that opportunity to be one of the older guys on the team and take on a leadership role… be a guy that other guys can lean on.”

David Sandlin: A Future Star with Serious Stuff

The real gem in this trade might be David Sandlin, the 24-year-old pitching prospect who brings a potent combination of velocity and stuff to the table. Sandlin split time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, posting a 4.50 ERA while striking out 107 batters in 106 innings. His fastball can touch 100 mph, and he also throws a sweeper and splitter, making him a potentially dangerous arm in the future.

Chris Getz has expressed high hopes for Sandlin, calling his stuff “mid-rotation, if not better.” The White Sox are hopeful that Sandlin could earn a spot in the starting rotation this year, further bolstering a pitching staff that is in the process of being reshaped.

“We believe he has mid-rotation, if not better, type arsenal and stuff,” Getz said of Sandlin. “Time will tell. He has a chance to really impact our starting rotation this year.”

With Sandlin’s impressive velocity and arsenal, he could become a key part of the White Sox’s rotation sooner rather than later. This acquisition speaks to Chicago’s commitment to building for the long term, focusing on players like Sandlin who have the potential to become significant contributors in the years to come.

The White Sox’s Continuing Rebuild

While the addition of Hicks and Sandlin is a notable move, the White Sox have made several other strategic moves to retool the roster and improve for the future. Since trading Robert, they have signed closer Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract and added outfielder Austin Hays on a one-year, $6 million deal. The acquisition of Hicks is part of this broader effort to balance the team and improve both the bullpen and rotation.

The White Sox are coming off a 60-102 season in 2025, following a record 121-loss season in 2024. While they have a long way to go in terms of rebuilding, these acquisitions show that they are committed to making incremental improvements and developing a more competitive roster. With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent, the White Sox could surprise many in 2026, provided their acquisitions stay healthy and live up to their potential.

Gage Ziehl and the Red Sox’s Perspective

The Red Sox, meanwhile, are looking to bolster their own future by acquiring Gage Ziehl, the 22-year-old right-hander who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2021 but went to the University of Miami before being selected by the New York Yankees in the fourth round in 2024. Ziehl was sent to the White Sox at the trade deadline in 2025, and he posted a 4.12 ERA and a 4.74 strikeout-walk ratio in his first professional season, throwing 107 innings over 22 appearances.

The Red Sox had a deep pool of starting pitching, and moving Ziehl, along with other assets, allowed them to dump most of Hicks’ salary while adding young talent for the future. As they continue their rebuilding efforts, Ziehl could provide them with a valuable piece down the line.

Roster Moves and Final Adjustments

In order to make room for Hicks and Sandlin on the 40-man roster, the White Sox have designated right-hander Jairo Iriarte and catcher Drew Romo for assignment. These moves are part of the White Sox’s ongoing adjustments to their roster, which will likely continue to evolve as the season progresses.

Conclusion: A Step Forward for the White Sox

The trade for Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin marks another step forward in the White Sox’s rebuilding process. While Hicks brings much-needed experience and potential upside as either a starter or reliever, it’s Sandlin’s future promise that could have the most impact in the years to come. The White Sox are clearly focused on creating a balanced roster with a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, and this trade adds depth to their pitching staff as they continue their quest to return to relevance in the American League.

Time will tell if this trade pays off, but for now, the White Sox appear to be making the right moves to build a team capable of competing in the future.