With a former All-Star outfielder joining, the White Sox bolster their lineup and defense, filling a crucial void after a significant trade.
The Chicago White Sox have been busier than usual on the free agent front this offseason. They signed Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal and agreed to a multi-year deal with Seranthony Dominguez earlier this month.
Even after those signings, manager Chris Getz said the front office would be active over the next couple of weeks to improve the team.
Getz has followed through on that by signing reliever Lucas Sims to a Minor League deal on Friday and outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year deal on Saturday morning. The Hays deal is expected to be a one-year, $6 million contract with the team.
The White Sox needed to acquire another outfielder after trading away Luis Robert Jr. a few weeks ago. The addition of Hays fills that need, and this is a really great move for the South Siders.
Hays is a veteran who immediately improves the White Sox lineup. He will play every day and has posted solid offensive numbers over his career. The 30-year-old is also a former All-Star.
Back in 2023, Hays made his first and only All-Star appearance. He hit .275 with 16 home runs, 36 doubles, 67 RBI, and five stolen bases across 144 games with the Baltimore Orioles. Additionally, he played above-average defense in left field that year, with a 5 Fielding Run Value that ranked in the 78th percentile.
There’s no doubt that the addition of Hays makes this White Sox team better in 2026. He firmly replaces Robert in the outfield, and his consistency is the biggest thing to love. The eight-year veteran hit .266 with 15 home runs, 16 doubles, 64 RBI, and seven stolen bases with the Cincinnati Reds last season.
Although the metrics don't love Hays, he continues to provide value on offense. He has hit at least .250 with 15 home runs and 60 RBI in four of his past five Major League seasons. His numbers against left-handed pitching (.319 average in 2025) is another reason to love the outfielder.
It is positive to see Getz hold up his promise that the White Sox were going to use the money saved in the Robert trade ($20 million) to improve this year’s team. He used $10 million of that on Dominguez and another $6 million on Hays.
Hays has the potential to be a reliable bat in that Chicago lineup this season. This is a player who finished with at least a 2.5 WAR in three straight seasons from 2021 to 2023. He’s consistent at the plate and has played solid defense for most of his career.
The White Sox needed a veteran corner outfielder to replace Robert. They got the perfect player in Hays.