White Sox Reportedly Sign All-Star Outfielder
Chicago has done some work this offseason.
According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and other sources, the Chicago White Sox are in agreement with All-Star outfielder Austin Hays on a one-year contract.
Hays delivered a solid 2025 season with the Cincinnati Reds before entering free agency. In 103 games (380 at-bats), he batted .266 with 60 runs scored, 101 hits, 16 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs, and 64 RBIs.
He posted a .315 on-base percentage, .453 slugging percentage, and .768 OPS, showing improved power output compared to his injury-plagued 2024.
Hays dealt with some health setbacks, including stints on the injured list for a calf strain, hamstring issue, and foot contusion, which limited his playing time. Despite the absences, he contributed consistently when healthy, with a 105 wRC+ and strong contact quality (88.8 mph average exit velocity, 38.4% hard-hit rate).
Across his career (through 2025), Hays has appeared in 682 MLB games, primarily with the Baltimore Orioles before stints with the Phillies and Reds. He owns a .262 batting average, 631 hits, 83 home runs, 312 RBIs, 337 runs, and 24 stolen bases over 2,408 at-bats, with a .313 on-base percentage and .748 OPS.
Drafted by Baltimore in the third round in 2016 out of Jacksonville University, he debuted in 2017 and established himself as a reliable everyday option from 2021-2023, peaking with strong double and home run totals.
After a down 2024, his 2025 bounce-back reaffirmed his value as a platoon-capable or everyday outfielder.
