Red Sox Send Hicks And Sandlin To White Sox In High-Stakes Pitching Swap

The baseball world was buzzing on Sunday, February 1, 2026, as the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox pulled off a major trade that sent shockwaves through their respective organizations and fan bases. In a deal confirmed by multiple sources, the White Sox acquired right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, pitching prospect David Sandlin, two players to be named later, and $8 million in cash considerations from the Red Sox. In return, Boston received right-handed starting pitching prospect Gage Ziehl and a player to be named later. The transaction, which also involved significant financial maneuvering, highlighted each team’s evolving roster strategy and the shifting value of pitching prospects in today’s MLB landscape.

For the White Sox, the addition of Jordan Hicks is both a gamble and a calculated move to bolster their pitching depth. Hicks, now 29, has experienced a rollercoaster ride over the past few seasons. After reestablishing himself in 2023 with a 3.29 ERA, 81 strikeouts, and 32 walks over 65.2 relief innings, he transitioned into a starting role for the Giants in 2024. That year, Hicks logged a career-high 109.2 innings and finished with a respectable 4.10 ERA. However, 2025 proved much more challenging. Hicks’s performance regressed sharply, as he posted a 6.47 ERA over 48.2 innings with the Giants before being shipped to Boston in the blockbuster Rafael Devers deal. The Red Sox used Hicks exclusively out of the bullpen, but he struggled to find his form, ending with an 8.20 ERA across 18.2 innings. Despite those rough numbers, Hicks regained some of his lost velocity, averaging 97.5 mph with his sinker in 2025—though still down from the 100.1 mph he averaged in 2023. The pitch’s effectiveness waned, delivering a career-worst 9.1% whiff rate, a troubling sign for a pitcher whose game has long relied on overpowering hitters.

Chicago’s front office, however, clearly believes Hicks has more to offer. The $8 million in cash considerations included in the deal will help offset the financial risk, as Hicks is owed $12.5 million annually over the next two seasons. The White Sox will be responsible for $8.5 million each year, with Boston covering the remaining $4 million. To make room for their new acquisitions, Chicago designated right-handed pitcher Jairo Iriarte and catcher Drew Romo for assignment—a move underscoring the significance of the trade in their roster planning.

Joining Hicks in the move to Chicago is David Sandlin, a 24-year-old right-hander who was Boston’s No. 11 overall prospect according to Baseball America and No. 8 on MLB Pipeline’s list. Sandlin’s 2025 season was his healthiest yet, featuring a 2.63 ERA over a 10-start run in Double-A before earning a promotion to Triple-A. There, his results were more uneven, and he did not receive a big league callup, though he was added to Boston’s 40-man roster in the offseason. Sandlin brings an intriguing mix of pitches—a fastball that sits 96-97 mph and can touch 100, a newly added cutter and sinker, and multiple breaking balls with wipeout potential. His changeup flashes promise but remains inconsistent. With adequate strike-throwing and a deep arsenal, Sandlin could compete for a starting role or bolster Chicago’s bullpen out of spring training. His 2025 numbers at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester included a 9-6 record, 4.50 ERA, and 107 strikeouts over 106 innings, further establishing him as a legitimate prospect on the cusp of a major league debut.

On the Red Sox’s side of the ledger, the centerpiece is Gage Ziehl, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who has quickly become one of the more intriguing wild cards in the minor leagues. Ziehl’s journey to Boston has been circuitous. Drafted in the fourth round (119th overall) by the Yankees in 2024, he was traded to Chicago on July 30, 2025, in exchange for outfielder Austin Slater. Now, less than a year later, he’s on the move again. Ziehl spent his first full professional season bouncing across four minor-league levels, posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts to 19 walks over 107 innings. He made 22 appearances (21 starts), with most of his work coming at Low-A and High-A, but he did get a taste of Double-A. His control has been a particular strength, averaging just 1.6 walks per nine innings in the minors, a notable improvement from his 2.6 per nine at Miami in college.

Scouting reports are mixed but optimistic. Ziehl relies heavily on his mid-80s sweeper and high-80s cutter, throwing those pitches nearly 70% of the time. His sweeper, graded 55/80 by Baseball America, boasts above-average spin rates and is his primary swing-and-miss weapon. The cutter is considered major league average, while his curveball and changeup are fringy but offer enough separation to keep hitters honest. Ziehl’s four-seam fastball, which sits at a below-average 92 mph, is used sparingly—just 13% of the time in 2025. Despite not possessing elite velocity, his command and pitch mix have made him a consistent strike-thrower with a starter’s foundation. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the White Sox’s No. 14 prospect, and he enters the Red Sox Top 30 at No. 20.

The financial component of the deal was crucial for Boston, as the Red Sox were looking to shed salary and stay under the second luxury tax threshold. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the $8 million in salary relief on Hicks’s contract helps address those concerns. "The biggest question for the Red Sox to answer in the short term is what happens with the money saved from the Hicks deal," noted Sports Illustrated. With a deep stable of pitching prospects—Sandlin was one of 14 starting pitchers on Boston’s 40-man roster, and six others are ranked higher—the Red Sox could afford to deal from a position of strength.

For Boston, Ziehl represents a nod to the future and a potential hidden gem. As Ari Alexander of WHDH-TV in Boston reported, a league source reacted to Ziehl’s inclusion in the trade with the exclamation, "Ooh, big arm." While "big" may be subjective, the consensus is that Ziehl’s combination of control and a diverse arsenal could eventually translate to major league success. As Sports Illustrated put it, "In five years, could we marvel at Ziehl being by far the best pitcher of the three involved in this deal? Unequivocally, yes. That’s the nature of prospect evaluation—we make our best guesses, and then we see which one out of every handful that debuts in the majors actually turns into something."

At the end of the day, Sunday’s trade is about more than just numbers—it’s about opportunity and calculated risk. The White Sox are betting that Hicks can rediscover his dominant form and that Sandlin’s stuff will play at the next level. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are banking on Ziehl’s upside and the flexibility gained from moving a burdensome contract. Neither Sandlin nor Ziehl has appeared in the majors yet, but both could make their debuts in 2026, setting the stage for fans to watch this deal’s impact unfold over the coming seasons.

With spring training on the horizon, both clubs are eager to see how their new acquisitions fit into the puzzle. For now, the baseball world will watch and wonder: which side will ultimately come out ahead in this high-stakes swap?