Overview
- Kay’s contract pays $5 million in both 2026 and 2027, with a $10 million mutual option for 2028 that includes a $2 million buyout.
- Across two NPB seasons with Yokohama, he went 15-15 with a 2.53 ERA and 249 strikeouts; in 2025 he posted a 1.74 ERA and led the Central League in ground-ball rate.
- He attributed his turnaround to the new sinker and a more aggressive approach in the zone, saying the consistent starts in Japan helped restore his confidence.
- Chicago views him as left-handed rotation depth after similar success stories, with Kay citing Erick Fedde’s return from Korea and Garrett Crochet’s transition back to starting as reasons for the fit.
- He last pitched in MLB on Oct. 1, 2023, and owns a 4-2 record with a 5.59 ERA in 44 games for the Blue Jays, Cubs and Mets, while the White Sox maintain 40-man flexibility at 35 players ahead of the Rule 5 draft.