The Chicago White Sox have made another significant move in the pitching market, agreeing to a two-year, $12 million contract with left-hander Anthony Kay, league sources confirmed on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The deal, which includes $5 million annually for the next two seasons and a $2 million buyout on a $10 million mutual option for 2028, could net Kay up to $1.5 million in additional incentives, according to league insiders. This marks a notable return to Major League Baseball for Kay, who spent the past two seasons revitalizing his career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league.
Kay, 30, is expected to slot into the middle of a White Sox rotation that is shaping up to include right-handers Shane Smith, Davis Martin, and Sean Burke for the 2026 campaign. The organization remains open to further additions, with sources indicating a willingness to consider a veteran arm on a short-term deal. But for now, Kay’s signing signals both a commitment to international talent and a bet on a pitcher who has shown dramatic improvement overseas.
Once a highly touted prospect, Kay’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, Kay’s early promise was evident. Before he even reached the majors, the Mets traded him, along with Simeon Woods Richardson, to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Marcus Stroman—a deal that underscored his perceived value at the time. Kay made his MLB debut in 2019, but his initial stint in the big leagues was marked by inconsistency. Over 44 appearances (seven starts) with the Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Mets from 2019 to 2023, he posted a 5.59 ERA and a 4.86 FIP in 85 1/3 innings. His career WHIP stood at 1.60, and he struggled to find a lasting role, primarily pitching out of the bullpen.
After returning to the Mets in 2023, Kay made the bold decision to take his talents to Japan’s Central League for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. There, he underwent a remarkable transformation. Not only did he transition to a full-time starter, but he also developed new weapons in his arsenal—a two-seam fastball and a changeup, the latter particularly effective against right-handed hitters. These adjustments paid dividends. Over 155 innings in the Central League, Kay posted a sparkling 1.74 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP, drawing the attention of MLB scouts and front offices. Across his two-year NPB stint, he totaled 291 2/3 innings with a 2.53 ERA, a robust 20.9% strikeout rate, and an eye-popping 54.5% ground ball rate. His ability to consistently induce grounders and limit damage stood out, especially compared to his earlier MLB numbers.
"Kay’s new sinker, along with a changeup he can use against right-handed batters, intrigued MLB scouts," one league source noted, highlighting the improvements that set the stage for his return stateside. The White Sox, in particular, were drawn to his revamped pitch mix and his demonstrated durability as a starter—Kay eclipsed 145 innings in each of his two NPB campaigns, a workload he’d never approached in North America.
The White Sox’s interest in pitchers returning from Asia is nothing new. Under general manager Chris Getz, the club has shown a knack for identifying value in international markets. The most recent example came ahead of the 2024 season, when Chicago signed Erick Fedde to a two-year, $15 million deal after his own successful stint in Korea. Fedde’s tenure with the Sox was short but productive; he was later flipped in a three-team trade that netted the club infielder Miguel Vargas and prospects Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez. The success of that move may have emboldened the front office to pursue Kay, hoping lightning might strike twice.
This trend isn’t limited to the South Side, either. The current offseason has seen a flurry of MLB teams targeting pitchers who’ve honed their craft in Asia. On Monday, Cody Ponce inked a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays after a standout run in the KBO, while Ryan Weiss joined the Houston Astros following his own Korean adventure. Other names, such as Foster Griffin, Adam Oller, and Kyle Keller, are reportedly on the radar for MLB returns, suggesting that teams are increasingly willing to look abroad for pitching solutions.
For Kay, the contract with Chicago represents both a homecoming and a fresh start. He’s expected to open the 2026 season in the White Sox rotation, a role that will give him ample opportunity to showcase his evolved approach on the mound. If his NPB numbers are any indication, he could be a key stabilizer for a staff that has seen its share of turnover in recent years. The Sox, meanwhile, are banking that Kay’s improvements are sustainable and that his experience overseas has prepared him for the rigors of a full MLB season.
Financially, the deal is structured to provide upside for both sides. Kay’s guaranteed $10 million over two years, plus the $2 million buyout, gives him security, while the mutual option and performance incentives offer further motivation. For the White Sox, the contract is a manageable risk—especially given the club’s recent history of successfully flipping international signings for assets when the opportunity arises.
As the White Sox continue to reshape their roster heading into 2026, the addition of Anthony Kay is a clear signal of their intent to compete—and to think creatively about how to build a winning staff. With Kay joining a rotation that already features emerging arms like Shane Smith, Davis Martin, and Sean Burke, the team appears poised to blend youth, experience, and international flair in pursuit of a playoff berth. While Chicago remains open to adding another pitcher, perhaps a veteran on a short-term deal, Kay’s arrival has already injected a sense of optimism among fans and observers alike.
It remains to be seen how Kay’s NPB success will translate to the American League, but the White Sox are betting that his new repertoire and confidence will carry over. As more pitchers return from Asia to test their mettle in MLB, Kay’s journey could serve as a blueprint for others looking to resurrect or reinvent their careers on baseball’s biggest stage.
For now, all eyes are on spring training, where Kay will look to cement his place in the White Sox rotation and prove that his overseas resurgence was no fluke. With his new deal inked and his stateside return set, the next chapter of Anthony Kay’s career is about to begin in Chicago.
