Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
8h ago

White Sox Add OF Austin Hays on Reported One-Year, $6 Million Deal

The short-term deal fills a veteran outfield need created by recent roster turnover.

Sep 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Austin Hays (12) advances to third base on a single from Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Austin Hays (12) celebrates an RBI double in the first inning of the MLB National League Wild Card Game 2 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. The Reds were eliminated from the postseason with an 8-4 loss to the reining World Series Champions La Dodgers.
Image
Image

Overview

  • Multiple outlets report Chicago and Austin Hays have an agreement for one year at roughly $6 million with incentives, with the Tribune noting the move is pending a physical and the club not yet announcing it.
  • Interest was widespread in free agency, with Jon Heyman reporting seven suitors that included the Cubs, Reds, Cardinals, Rangers, Tigers and Padres.
  • Hays, 30, produced a .266/.315/.453 line with 15 home runs and a .768 OPS in 103 games for the Reds in 2025.
  • He missed 59 games last season due to calf and hamstring issues and a kidney infection, which has raised durability questions.
  • A right-handed hitter who can play all three outfield spots, Hays joins a group that includes Andrew Benintendi, Brooks Baldwin and Luisangel Acuña following Chicago’s trade of Luis Robert Jr. and other departures.