Former All-Star Outfielder Austin Hays Signs $6M Deal with White Sox

One-year contract includes $8M mutual option for 2027 as Chicago seeks veteran outfield help.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 3:47pm

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Former All-Star outfielder Austin Hays has finalized a $6 million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. Hays, who has played in the postseason the past three years with Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati, will have a $5 million salary this season, and the contract includes an $8 million mutual option for 2027 with a $1 million buyout. The White Sox were seeking a veteran outfielder, particularly after trading Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets last month, to help a young team that has had three straight 100-loss seasons.

Why it matters

The signing of Hays provides the White Sox with an experienced outfielder to help mentor their young core of players as the team looks to bounce back from three consecutive 100-loss seasons. Hays' postseason experience and All-Star caliber production in 2023 make him a valuable addition to the White Sox roster.

The details

Hays, 30, was an All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles in 2023, hitting .275 with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs. However, he has dealt with multiple injuries and a kidney infection since then. In 2024, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and hit .256 with two homers and six RBIs in 22 games while dealing with the kidney issue. He became a free agent when the Phillies opted not to offer him a contract, and he signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds, hitting .266 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 103 games.

  • On February 4, 2026, Hays and the White Sox finalized the $6 million, one-year contract.

The players

Austin Hays

A 30-year-old former All-Star outfielder who has played in the postseason the past three years with Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati.

Chicago White Sox

A Major League Baseball team that has had three straight 100-loss seasons and is looking to improve with a young core of players.

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What’s next

The White Sox will look to Hays to provide veteran leadership and production in the outfield as they aim to improve upon their recent 100-loss seasons and return to contention in the AL Central.

The takeaway

The signing of Austin Hays represents a low-risk, high-upside move for the White Sox as they seek to rebuild their roster and return to competitiveness in the American League. Hays' All-Star caliber talent and postseason experience could be a valuable addition to a young White Sox team looking to turn the corner.