The Chicago White Sox have reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Austin Hays, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The deal, which has yet to be officially confirmed by the team, includes performance-based incentives.
Hays, 30, battled injuries during the 2025 season, missing 59 games due to calf, hamstring, and kidney issues. Despite the setbacks, he demonstrated the hitting ability that earned him an All-Star selection in 2023, finishing the year with a .768 OPS, ranking second among Reds with at least 200 plate appearances, and hitting 15 home runs for the fourth time in five seasons.
The outfielder started last season hot, batting over .300 with a .500 slugging percentage through the end of June. Hays’ success came primarily against fastballs, posting a .337 average with a .709 slugging percentage against four-seamers and a .353/.632 line against sinkers. However, he struggled against sliders, sweepers, and curveballs, striking out in nearly a third of such plate appearances.
Defensively, Hays continues to provide value with a strong right arm, ranking in the 88th percentile for arm strength. He also brings postseason experience, appearing in the playoffs in each of the last three years with three different teams. His career includes multiple seasons with batting-title eligibility and an OPS-plus of 105 or higher, alongside standout years of 35 and 36 doubles for the Orioles in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The biggest question mark for Hays moving forward is health. His game totals have fluctuated in recent years—103 games in 2025 and 85 in 2024—due to injuries and illness. When healthy, though, Hays can contribute both at the plate and in the field, providing the White Sox with a versatile veteran presence as they aim for success in the coming season.
