Among the dozen trades the Boston Red Sox made over the offseason, one was a pure salary dump. Such a move might normally upset some fans — especially considering how the traded player ended up in Boston in the first place — but that couldn't be further from the truth in this case.
The Red Sox on February 1 traded reliever Jordan Hicks and top pitching prospect David Sandlin to the Chicago White Sox. Hicks was part of Boston's return in the Rafael Devers trade, but not many people were sad to see him leave, even if it took Sandlin and $8 million in cash to get him out.
The San Francisco Giants signed Hicks to a four-year, $44 million deal, over two years of which was traded to Boston. His results with the Red Sox were less than ideal (8.20 ERA, 1.98 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and 12 walks over 18.2 innings) and his contract was aging worse than Devers' after just a year and a half.
The White Sox haven't been able to unlock any improvements in him yet. Hicks made his Chicago debut on Opening Day and he hasn't changed a bit since his last Red Sox appearance — he allowed three runs on two hits with four walks and no strikeouts. He lasted just two thirds of an inning before the White Sox pulled him. They went on to lose to the Milwaukee Brewers, 14-2.
Hicks also struggled with his command in spring training. He struck out 10 batters and walked five over 9.2 innings in the Grapefruit League.
Former Red Sox reliever Jordan Hicks is still struggling after February trade to the White Sox
The White Sox have announced before the season that they plan to use Hicks as a reliever, seemingly the wise choice based on his history (although his organizational debut leaves room for doubt). Hicks' career began as a reliever with the St. Louis Cardinals, and when he signed with the Giants in 2024, they tried to turn him into a starter without any real success.
He's posted a career 3.85 ERA as a reliever from 2018-23 and his struggles set in mostly when the Giants tried to change his role. He clocked a 4.10 ERA in 2024 when 20 of his 29 appearances were starts and he never shook off the rust. Nine of his 13 appearances with the Giants last season were starts, and he logged a 6.47 ERA over 48.2 frames.
Despite Hicks' status as part of the Devers trade, the Red Sox will better off having moved on from him. Even if he finds his footing as the season goes on, his expensive contract would be better allocated to different needs in Boston, and his place in the bullpen will go to a more consistent arm.