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The Boston Red Sox saved money and cleared two 40-man roster spots in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Boston sent right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks, minor-league RHP David Sandlin, and two players to be named later to Chicago in exchange for minor-league RHP Gage Ziehl and a player to be named later. The Red Sox sent $8 million to the White Sox to cover some of Hicks’ $24 million contract, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic.
Hicks was initially acquired as part of last year’s blockbuster trade that sent slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. The 29-year-old struggled mightily in Boston, posting an 8.20 ERA and 1.98 WHIP across 21 appearances.
Sandlin was the No. 9-ranked prospect in the Red Sox’ system, per SoxProspects.com. The 24-year-old, whom Boston acquired from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for reliever John Schreiber in 2024, had a 4.50 ERA in 32 games (14 starts) for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester last season.
Ziehl, 22, was a fourth-round draft pick by the New York Yankees in 2024. He notched a 4.12 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across three minor-league levels (Low-A, High-A, Double-A) last season.
For the Red Sox, this trade was all about shedding Hicks’ salary and making room on the 40-man roster for future moves. A right-handed bat, specifically a middle infielder, remains a glaring need with less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers for spring training.