Gage

Ziehl

If it seems like a lopsided deal on the surface, it’s because it’s basically a salary dump for the Red Sox who are getting out from $16 million or so of the $25 million that’s remaining on Hicks’ contract over the next two seasons. We’ll wait and see how the players to be named later shake out. Ziehl, 22, was acquired by the White Sox in last season’s deadline deal that sent Austin Slater to the Yankees. He registered a 4.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 90/19 K/BB ratio over 107 innings across three minor league levels in 2025. The Red Sox had conversations about acquiring Jordan Leasure instead but ultimately thought that Ziehl was too good to pass up.

It’s a salary dump more than anything else for the Red Sox. Hicks is owed $25 million over the next two seasons and they’ll send the White Sox $8 million to help pay that down. They’ll also send them pitching prospect David Sandlin. Ziehl, 22, was acquired by the White Sox from the Yankees at last season’s trade deadline in exchange for Austin Slater. He posted a 4.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 90/19 K/BB ratio over 107 innings across three minor league levels in 2025.

Ziehl was the Yankees’ 18th-ranked prospect and is now officially a member of the White Sox. He will likely report to Double-A Birmingham for the remainder of the season.

Ziehl is the 18th-ranked prospect in the Yankees system, according to MLB Pipeline, so this is a pretty good return for the White Sox. The 22-year-old has a 4.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 70/14 K/BB ratio in 74 1/3 innings across three minor league levels this season. Ziehl has above-average command of a 94 mph fastball and pairs that with a plus sweeper and an improving changeup. He has made only one start in Double-A for the Yankees, so it remains to be seen where the White Sox send him.