With Spring Training just around the corner, the White Sox roster is taking shape-but there’s still some work to be done. While the core pieces are mostly in place, there’s a clear need for reinforcements in two key areas: the starting rotation and the outfield. And with the market thinning out, the clock is ticking.
Let’s start with the outfield. Beyond Andrew Benintendi, the White Sox are light on major league experience among their outfielders.
That’s a concern for a team trying to stabilize after a rough stretch. They were reportedly in the mix for Harrison Bader, but he’s now off the board, having signed with the Giants.
A $10 million annual deal for Bader seemed like a fair price tag for a player with his glove and speed, but it’s possible he was looking to join a team with a clearer path to contention.
That leaves the Sox searching for a backup plan-and there are still a few intriguing names out there. One that makes a lot of sense? Austin Hays.
Hays, who spent the bulk of his career with the Orioles before a stint with the Reds, brings something the White Sox need: a steady, proven presence. He’s not a superstar, but he’s been a reliable contributor for years. At 30 years old (turning 31 during the season), he’s the kind of veteran who could fit on a short-term deal-potentially even one that positions him as a trade chip come July if the season doesn’t break the right way.
Last year, Hays posted a .266/.315/.453 slash line with 15 home runs, 64 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. That’s solid production-especially for a team that doesn’t have a ton of pop in right field.
His overall value came in at 0.8 WAR, which doesn’t jump off the page but also doesn’t tell the full story. His offensive numbers were in line with some of his better seasons, but the WAR dip suggests his defense or baserunning may have taken a step back.
Still, there’s a track record here that’s worth betting on. From 2021 to 2023, Hays put together his best stretch in the big leagues, highlighted by an All-Star nod in 2023.
His 2021 season stands out in particular: a .256/.308/.461 line with 22 homers and 71 RBIs, good for 3.4 WAR. That’s the kind of production the White Sox would love to slot into their outfield.
Even in his All-Star campaign two years later, Hays remained consistent, slashing .275/.325/.444 with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs. That’s been the story of his career-dependable bat, moderate power, and solid run production.
A typical Hays season looks like .260 with 15-20 homers and 60-70 RBIs. For a team like the White Sox, who’ve struggled to get consistent output from right field in recent years, that would be a meaningful upgrade.
Baseball Reference projects Hays to post a .263/.316/.428 line in 2026, with 13 homers and 53 RBIs. That’s not going to carry a lineup, but it would give the White Sox some much-needed depth and take pressure off their younger players to immediately shoulder the offensive load.
In short, Hays fits the bill. He’s experienced, productive, and likely affordable. For a team still trying to find its footing, adding a player like Hays could be a smart, stabilizing move-both for the present and potentially for the trade deadline down the road.