White Sox sign OF Austin Hays to 1-year, $6M deal

Field Level Media
05 Feb 2026, 05:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

The Chicago White Sox agreed to a one year, $6 million free-agent contract Wednesday with former All-Star outfielder Austin Hays..

The deal pays Hays $5 million this coming season, with an $8 million mutual option for 2027 or a $1 million buyout.

In a corresponding move, Chicago designated left-handed reliever Bryan Hudson for assignment.

Hays, 30, batted .266 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 103 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season.

An American League All-Star in 2023, Hays is a career .262 hitter with 83 homers and 312 RBIs in 682 games with the Baltimore Orioles (2017, 2019-24), Philadelphia Phillies (2024) and Reds (2025).

Baltimore selected Hays in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Jacksonville University.

Hudson, 28, went a combined 0-1 with a 4.80 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 13 walks in 15 innings over 16 relief appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers and White Sox last season.

He is 6-2 lifetime with a 2.83 ERA, 88 strikeouts and 34 walks in 86 innings over 65 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2023), Brewers (2024-25) and White Sox, who selected him off waivers from Milwaukee on Aug. 3.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to BC Post.

More Information

International

Section

Norway’s royal family faces fresh scandal as princess’s son arrested

OSLO, Norway: In a week of embarrassments to the royal family, the eldest son of Norway's crown princess was arrested over new allegations...

Spain plans age checks, social media ban for under-16s

MADRID, Spain: Spain is preparing one of Europe's most brutal crackdowns on children's use of social media, signalling a broader shift...

Tehran arrests Oscar-nominated Iranian screenwriter

TEHRAN, Iran: Just weeks before the Academy Awards, an Iranian screenwriter, nominated for an Oscar for the Iranian drama It Was Just...

DoJ official says new charges against those in Epstein files unlikely

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A top Justice Department official said there was little possibility of additional criminal charges arising from the...

125 killed in violence that erupts in Balochistan province of Pakistan

QUETTA, Pakistan: Pakistan said its security forces killed 92 militants in the multiple suicide and gun attacks across the restive...

Journalist Don Lemon held for violating federal civil rights, released

LOS ANGELES, California: Journalist Don Lemon was released from custody on January 30 after being arrested and charged with violating...

Sports

Section