The Boston Red Sox on Sunday sent right-handed pitching prospect David Sandlin to the Chicago White Sox as part of a trade centered on reliever Jordan Hicks, a move stemming from the long-term effects of last June’s Rafael Devers trade. The Red Sox confirmed the deal, which brought back 22-year-old right-handed pitching prospect Gage Ziehl, on the team’s official social media.
On Monday, Sandlin was ranked as the No. 14 overall prospect in the White Sox system by MLB Pipeline, the same slot where Ziehl had been ranked. Ziehl was slotted at No. 20 overall in the Red Sox system.
The move further underscores how dramatically the Devers trade altered the organization’s roster and payroll picture. Hicks, along with left-hander Kyle Harrison and highly regarded outfield prospect James Tibbs III, came to Boston from the San Francisco Giants in the Devers trade, along with Rookie League pitcher Jose Bello. Tibbs III was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Dustin May at last year’s trade deadline.
Sandlin, once viewed as a potential mid-rotation arm for the Red Sox pitching staff, became expendable as the club worked to recalibrate following the Devers trade, which reset both competitive timelines and financial priorities. The latest deal reflects a continued effort by Boston to shed salary, even at the cost of a high-ceiling arm with notable upside.
By including Sandlin in the deal, the Red Sox were able to dump onto the the White Sox all but $8 million of the $24 million owed to Hicks over the next two seasons. In 18 2/3 innings for the Red Sox after coming over from San Francisco, the 29-year-old Hicks gave 20 runs on 25 hits, including three home runs, and 12 walks against just 15 strikeouts.
Sandlin Reached 100 mph
MLB Pipeline had Sandlin — acquired from the Kansas City Royals in a Feb. 2024 trade for reliever John Schreiber — ranked No. 8 overall in the Red Sox farm system but No. 5 among all pitching prospects.
“Sandlin can make hitters look bad with three different pitches, starting with a fastball that parks at 94–97 mph and peaks at 100,” MLB Pipeline wrote in a scouting report on the 24-year-old right-hander. “He switched to more of a sweeping slider in 2024, operating in the mid-80s with good shape, and he can turn it into a tighter upper-80s cutter. He also achieves nice depth on his upper-80s splitter, which can be unhittable at its best.”
But the scouting report went on to label Sandlin “a bit of an enigma,” and noted “some effort and red flags in his delivery.”
“Despite his quality stuff and control, he got roughed up for a 5.34 ERA and a .269/.324/.511 batting line last year,” the report noted. “He has the upside to pitch in the front half of a rotation but also comes with reliever risk and will wind up in the bullpen if he can’t improve his command and durability.”
Why Sandlin Was Traded Now
So why were the Red Sox willing to cut ties with such a promising young pitcher, with just 10 days to go before the official opening of Boston’s spring training camp in Fort Myers, Florida?
The answer comes down to one word: money.
By including a high-ranking prospect such as Sandlin and accepting a low-level minor leaguer in return — though Ziehl was ranked No. 14 overall in the White Sox system by MLB Pipeline — Boston was able to persuade Chicago to accept all but $4 million of the intensely disappointing Hicks’ $12 million salary this year.
The Red Sox included $8 million in cash in the trade, according to a MassLive report. As a result, only $4 million of Hicks’ salary will count against Boston’s competitive balance tax threshold this year. In 2027, the White Sox will cover $8 million to the Red Sox’s $4 million share of Hicks’ paycheck.
Sandlin occupied a spot on the Red Sox 40-man roster. By trading him away along with Hicks, the Red Sox have cleared two spots on the 40-man roster, which may signal that more moves are coming with spring training just days away.
Red Sox Cut Ties With Top 5 Pitching Prospect Stemming From Devers Trade