Austin Hays’ first night in a Padres uniform gave the White Sox an immediate reminder of what they let walk out the door.
Hays, who signed a one-year deal with Chicago in the offseason before his time there unraveled almost right away, homered in his debut for San Diego. MLB highlighted the moment with a post celebrating “Welcome to San Diego, Austin Hays!” and the blast that followed.
For the White Sox, Hays’ exit had been building for months. He was supposed to bring veteran offense and stability to a young outfield, but the fit never really took hold.
Nine games into the season, he strained his hamstring while chasing a fly ball in left field and left the game. He missed three weeks in April, came back at the end of the month, and then lasted only three more games before a calf strain sent him back to the injured list.
A setback during rehab stretched that absence even longer.
By the time the White Sox were sorting out the final roster spot, the picture had changed. Randal Grichuk’s play in Hays’ absence, along with the club’s desire to keep getting at-bats for Sam Antonacci, Tristan Peters, and Braden Montgomery, made the situation murky.
The choice looked like it might come down to Everson Pereira and Hays, but Chicago instead pulled off a surprise trade for Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle and moved on from both. Pereira was claimed on waivers by the St.
Louis Cardinals, and Hays landed with the Padres on a big league deal after his release.
That left the White Sox in a thin spot in the outfield, with their depth more exposed than ever. Their success now depends in part on whether they can get Doyle right, and the addition of Joey Wiemer on a minor league deal helps some. Even so, Hays making an instant impact in San Diego was enough to draw a reaction.
The bigger question for Chicago is whether it chose correctly by going with Grichuk over Hays.
The Doyle move wasn’t really a direct Hays-versus-Doyle call. Doyle is a center fielder, and he fits more naturally as a platoon option for Tristan Peters and as a replacement for Pereira on the roster.
The real comparison was Grichuk against Hays. Chicago made the same basic decision twice: it signed Hays first, then pivoted to Grichuk after Hays got hurt and Grichuk was released by the Yankees after a slow start.
So far, Grichuk has given the White Sox real production. In 64 games, he has hit nine home runs and posted an .864 OPS, mostly against left-handed pitching. He slumped a bit in July, batting just .231, but he’s 5-for-16 in August.
Chicago’s decision to move on from Hays made sense and may have been unavoidable. Still, if he keeps hitting for the Padres, it will leave a mark. How much it stings from here will depend on what the White Sox get from Grichuk the rest of the way.
In Other News...
White Sox Turn Pope Hat Night Into A Full-Ballpark Celebration
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Once the game begins, the entertainment plan keeps going with a live mural painting and themed fan interactions designed to keep the crowd engaged beyond the giveaway line. The White Sox are also tying the night to a $5 Tuesday concession promotion that includes a new souvenir cup, giving fans another reason to arrive early and stay late while the ballpark leans fully into the celebration. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Thorpe Could Be The White Sox Rotation Answer Again
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Thorpe is nearing the end of his minor-league rehab assignment, and the next step could determine how soon the White Sox bring him back into the fold. His rehab has also been about more than just getting healthy, since he has spent the time adding to his pitch mix and giving the club a little more to consider than it had when he went down. For a team still searching for stability on the mound, the possibility of Thorpe rejoining the staff soon is the kind of development that matters even before the move is official. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Just Lost A Recent Trade Piece For Nothing
The White Soxs churn of the roster took another turn this week when right-hander Wikelman Gonzlez moved on after a brief stop in Chicago. Gonzlez had been part of the return from Boston and brought at least a little intrigue as a young arm with major league experience from last season, but his stay on the South Side ended quickly once he was designated for assignment.
Miami stepped in by claiming Gonzlez and filling a 40-man roster spot in the process, a reminder of how quickly these fringe pieces can change hands this time of year. For the White Sox, it leaves another recent trade addition gone before he had a real chance to settle in, and it adds another layer to the quiet reshaping of the pitching staff after the Garrett Crochet deal. [Read more 🡒]