The Chicago White Sox continued an active offseason by adding veteran outfielder Austin Hays on a one-year contract. Multiple reports on Saturday indicated that Hays agreed to a deal that includes a $5 million base salary for the 2026 season, a $1 million buyout, and up to $375K in performance incentives.
Chicago’s front office has been aggressive in reshaping the roster. Earlier this winter, the White Sox signed Munetaka Murakami, traded center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets, and added reliever Seranthony Domínguez. The addition of Hays further reinforces their commitment to improving both depth and experience.
Hays, 30, earned the deal after a productive 2025 season. While teams such as the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants were believed to have interest, it was the White Sox who ultimately secured his services. Further clarity on how competitive the market was for Hays could emerge in the coming days.
From Chicago’s perspective, the signing represents a low-risk move with potential upside. The White Sox could surprise in 2026 within a relatively open American League Central. A lineup anchored by Murakami and supported by a developing core that includes Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, and Miguel Vargas has the chance to challenge opposing pitching staffs more consistently.
In 2025, Hays appeared in 103 games and hit 15 home runs with 66 RBIs, a .266 batting average, and a 105 OPS+. After a down year in 2024, he returned closer to his earlier form, having previously been a steady 3 bWAR player from 2021 through 2023.
Across eight MLB seasons, Hays has compiled 83 home runs, 212 RBIs, and a career .262 batting average. Beyond the on-field production, he brings experience to a clubhouse that continues to integrate young talent.
For a franchise that has spent recent seasons near the bottom of the division, the White Sox are positioning themselves to be more competitive moving forward. Even if Hays settles into a complementary role, his presence adds stability at a point in the offseason when impact position players are increasingly scarce.
Looking ahead, Chicago will need to determine how Hays fits into the everyday outfield picture and how that decision affects younger options such as Luisangel Acuña and Brooks Baldwin as roster decisions continue to take shape.
