White Sox land one of Boston’s top pitching prospects by taking on Jordan Hicks’ contract

White Sox general manager Chris Getz promised to put the money saved by trading away Luis Robert Jr. to good use.

Sunday brought another example, when the Sox acquired right-handed pitchers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin from Boston. The Sox are sending back pitcher Gage Ziehl and a player to be named later.

Sandlin was rated the Red Sox' No. 7 prospect by Baseball America, though he posted a 7.61 ERA in Triple A during the second half of last season.

“Adding Sandlin is essentially part of a Luis Robert return,” Getz said on a Zoom call with reporters. “Two high-octane arms, guys that both can run it up to to 100, if not over that, at least historically.”

This trade can be viewed as a salary dump by Boston, because Hicks, 29, is owed $37.5 million over the next three seasons. Cash considerations are part of the deal, so the Red Sox are likely picking up a portion of his salary.

But Getz believes Hicks can be a helpful pitcher. He's bounced around, playing for four teams in the past three years, with a mix of starts and relief appearances. Hicks put up a 6.95 ERA last year between the Giants and Red Sox. But he was much better in 2024 (4.10 ERA) and '23 (3.29).

Based on his Statcast profile, Hicks' strengths are his fastball velocity (97.5 mph) and ground-ball percentage (56.7%). On the downside, his hard-hit percentage was alarmingly high during his time with the Red Sox. Getz suggested the White Sox are thinking bullpen first for Hicks.

“Jordan Hicks has been an elite reliever,” Getz said “Our stuff grades are still really strong. We think he's not too far off from being the guy he once was.”

Hicks also spoke to reporters Sunday and appreciated getting a fresh start after dealing with some difficult times in Boston. A Houston native, he referenced watching the White Sox sweep the Astros in the World Series as a nine-year-old.

“Overall, this is the best I've felt in a long time,” Hicks said. “I think I can be the best version of me the next few years with the White Sox. Extremely blessed to be in Chicago now and ready to show what I can do.”

Sandlin, 24, was an 11th-round pick of the Royals out of the University of Oklahoma in 2022. He was traded to the Red Sox two years later.

Getz views Sandlin as a starter, with a chance to join the rotation this season. The Red Sox switched him to a relief role late last year, thinking he had the potential to help the major-league club in that role, but he was never called up.

In his Triple A finale last season, Sandlin threw seven different pitches — led by the four-seam, slider, sinker and cutter. His last start in Triple A was on Aug, 1, with his four-seam averaging 96.5 mph that night.

Heading into spring training, the Sox are likely looking at a starting rotation of Anthony Kay, Shane Smith, Davis Martin and Sean Burke, while the fifth starter could be one of about 10 candidates.

“It's a big arm. It's high velocity. It's multiple pitches,” Getz said of Sandlin. “He's got weapons to get righties and lefties out. I know the work ethic is top of the charts.

“This is a guy that we feel can be a starter in the big leagues for a long time and help us win games. We've been targeting Sandlin for some time. So to add him to this young, growing group, and six years of (team) control is super valuable.”

To create room on the 40-man roster, the White Sox designated pitcher Jairo Iriarte and catcher Drew Romo for assignment.