The White Sox finally made the move fans have been waiting for.
Jun 12, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays (21) reacts after hitting a double during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images | Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding the outfield following the Luis Robert Jr. trade, Chicago has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with veteran outfielder Austin Hays, a former Baltimore Orioles All-Star.
It’s a signing that instantly changes the tone of the White Sox offseason — not because Hays is a superstar, but because he’s exactly what this roster desperately needed: a real major-league stabilizer.
White Sox outfield gets an immediate upgrade
The White Sox outfield has been one of the biggest question marks on the roster, especially after moving on from Robert Jr., the team’s most dynamic player and the closest thing they had to a true game-changer in the lineup.
Now, Hays enters a group that includes Andrew Benintendi, Everson Pereira, Luisangel Acuna, Jarred Kelenic, Brooks Baldwin, and Derek Hill — a collection of players with upside, but also a lot of volatility.
The difference is that Hays brings something most of them don’t: a reliable track record of everyday production.
At 30 years old, Hays isn’t coming in as a franchise savior. But he doesn’t need to be. He just needs to be solid — and he usually is.
Who is Austin Hays?
Hays was originally drafted by the Orioles in the third round and made his MLB debut in 2017. He didn’t truly lock down an everyday role until 2021, but once he did, he became a steady contributor in Baltimore’s lineup.
From 2021 to 2023, Hays posted OPS+ marks of 107, 105, and 114, a stretch that represents the best sustained run of his career.
That consistency was rewarded in 2023 when he earned an AL All-Star selection, proving he could not only hold a starting job — but thrive when things clicked.
His path since then has been more turbulent. Hays was traded to the Phillies during a rough 2024 season impacted by injuries and inconsistency, then signed with the Cincinnati Reds for 2025.
Last season, he played 103 games and put up a respectable line of:
.266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs and a 105 OPS+
That’s not elite production, but in today’s game, it’s absolutely valuable — especially for a team trying to climb out of the basement and build a functional lineup.
Why this signing matters for the White Sox
This is the kind of move that doesn’t win headlines in November, but can quietly matter a lot in April.
Hays has never been the type of player who dominates Statcast leaderboards or makes analysts drool over advanced metrics. But the results are there. His career OPS+ sits at 106, making him a slightly above-average hitter over a meaningful sample size.
In plain terms: he’s a professional MLB outfielder who can hit enough to belong.
For a young White Sox roster that’s trying to establish identity and stop bleeding runs offensively, that matters. A lot.
Hays also brings predictability. He’s generally a safe bet to hit around .250 and land in the 15-homer range, which is exactly the kind of baseline production Chicago needs while younger players fight for roles.
Defensive fit and possible platoon role
Defensively, Hays graded out as roughly league average in 2025. He isn’t a burner, but he has strong arm strength, solid instincts, and enough experience to play all three outfield spots if needed.
In recent seasons, he’s played mostly left field, which makes him a potential fit alongside Benintendi. And since Hays has historically hit left-handed pitching better, it’s easy to imagine a platoon scenario where the White Sox try to maximize matchups.
But he’s not helpless against righties either. His career .717 OPS vs. right-handed pitching is serviceable, meaning he can still take on a larger workload if the roster demands it.
The Ryan Fuller connection could be huge
One of the most interesting details in this signing is the coaching link.
Hays’ best years came in Baltimore — and the White Sox’ current hitting director Ryan Fuller worked in the Orioles organization from 2019 to 2024. That doesn’t feel like a coincidence.
If the White Sox believe they can get Hays closer to his 2023 form, this deal could become one of the best low-risk value signings of their offseason.
Are the White Sox done?
Probably not.
With the additions of Hays and closer Seranthony Dominguez, Chicago has now spent most of the money freed up from the Luis Robert Jr. trade — but the roster still looks thin in one major area: starting pitching.
Spring Training is right around the corner, and the clock is ticking. Pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks, with the full squad arriving shortly after.
The White Sox outfield finally has stability.
Now the question is simple: who’s next?
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