White Sox sign OF Austin Hays to 1-year, $6M deal

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th February, 18:47 2026

MLB: Wildcard-Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers

Sep 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Austin Hays (12) advances to third base on a single from Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Chicago White Sox agreed to a one year, $6 million free-agent contract Wednesday with former All-Star outfielder Austin Hays..

The deal pays Hays $5 million this coming season, with an $8 million mutual option for 2027 or a $1 million buyout.

In a corresponding move, Chicago designated left-handed reliever Bryan Hudson for assignment.

Hays, 30, batted .266 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 103 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season.

An American League All-Star in 2023, Hays is a career .262 hitter with 83 homers and 312 RBIs in 682 games with the Baltimore Orioles (2017, 2019-24), Philadelphia Phillies (2024) and Reds (2025).

Baltimore selected Hays in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Jacksonville University.

Hudson, 28, went a combined 0-1 with a 4.80 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 13 walks in 15 innings over 16 relief appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers and White Sox last season.

He is 6-2 lifetime with a 2.83 ERA, 88 strikeouts and 34 walks in 86 innings over 65 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2023), Brewers (2024-25) and White Sox, who selected him off waivers from Milwaukee on Aug. 3.

--Field Level Media

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