White Sox add outfielder Austin Hays

The White Sox officially announced that they had signed Austin Hays to a one-year, $6 million contract with a mutual option for 2027. Hays will receive $5 million in in 2026 with an $8 million mutual option for 2027 or a $1 million buyout.

To make room on the 40-man roster, reliever Bryan Hudson was designated for assignment.

Hays, 30, will join a Sox team bereft of outfielders. Last season, he played in 103 games with the Reds, batting .266/.315/.453 with 15 homers and 64 RBIs. Throughout his career, Hays has made 406 career starts in left field and 109 in right field. Both of those spots were areas that Getz wanted to get more production from entering the offseason. With Hays, Getz has signed an experienced veteran to a youthful outfield.

Hays started the 2023 All-Star Game in center field, finishing the season with a career-high 36 doubles, 16 homers and 67 RBIs.

The Sox will have an almost entirely new outfield this season after non-tendering right fielder Mike Tauchman and trading for Luis Robert Jr. Andrew Benintendi will also spend a lot of time at the designated hitter spot.

The organization also acquired Everson Pereira and Tristan Peters from the Rays. Luisangel Acuna, who the team acquired from the Mets in the Robert trade, will be an option in center field.