The Red Sox have swung their 12th trade of the offseason, this time unloading a highly-paid relief pitcher in a salary dump as part of a prospect-for-prospect swap.
The Red Sox announced Sunday they have traded right-handers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin and two players to be named later to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league right-hander Gage Ziehl and a player to be named later. The Red Sox will also send $8 million in cash to the White Sox, who will cover the remaining $16 million of the $24 million owed to Hicks over the next two years.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report news of the trade, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon were first with the return for Boston.
The move also opens two spots on the Red Sox 40-man roster, which now stands at 38.
Originally acquired as part of the Rafael Devers trade, Hicks is one of the hardest throwers in MLB and was once among the game’s top relievers. But Hicks struggled immensely throughout 2025, posting a 6.95 ERA over 67 1/3 innings split between the San Francisco Giants and the Red Sox.
Hicks’ difficulties were especially pronounced in Boston, posting an 8.20 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 12 walks in only 18 2/3 innings following his arrival.
Given that Hicks was due to earn $12 million per year over the next two years, the 29-year-old would likely have been given another shot in the Red Sox bullpen this season despite his recent performance. Instead, he’ll get a fresh start with a new organization, while the Red Sox open up a bullpen spot while clearing some salary off the books.
According to Red Sox Payroll, who tracks the club’s financials for SoxProspects.com, Boston’s payroll is now estimated at $260.9 million.
In order to move Hicks, the Red Sox had to package a promising young pitcher.
Sandlin was one of three arms the club added to the 40-man roster this past November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old was originally acquired from the Kansas City Royals in the John Schreiber trade, and this past season he posted a 4.50 ERA in 106 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A.
He entered 2026 ranked as Boston’s No. 11 prospect according to Baseball America.
Ziehl, who the Red Sox will receive in return, ranked as the White Sox’s No. 21 prospect. The 22-year-old was originally a fourth-round pick by the Yankees out of Miami in the 2024 MLB Draft and was traded to Chicago last summer in exchange for outfielder Austin Slater. The 6-foot righty posted a 4.12 ERA over 107 innings (22 outings, 21 starts) in his first full season as a professional, including a 4.01 ERA in six starts with Chicago’s High-A affiliate following the trade.
