Bold move, big implications: the Chicago White Sox have added left-hander Anthony Kay on a $12 million, two-year deal, with a mutual option for 2028, according to an AP source.
Kay, 30, is making his return to the majors after two seasons pitching in Japan. His last big league appearance came on Oct. 1, 2023, for the New York Mets.
The White Sox finished last in the AL Central this season with a 60-102 record, though that mark showed a 19-game improvement from the prior year. The organization is hoping to build on that momentum in 2026 by leveraging a promising core that includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth.
Kay adds depth to a bullpen that posted a 4.16 ERA but also led the majors with 48 losses this season.
Drafted by the Mets in the first round of 2016 out of the University of Connecticut, Kay is 4-2 with a 5.59 ERA across 44 major league appearances, having also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs.
FanSided.com was the first to report Kay’s agreement with the White Sox.
What this means going forward: Kay’s major-league track record is modest, but New York-based and Chicago-based teams have given him chances to prove himself at the highest level. The White Sox clearly value his left-handed versatility and experience as they reshape a rotation and bullpen hoping to rise from a disappointing season.
Conversation starter: Do you think this two-year deal provides enough stability for Kay to reestablish himself in the majors, or is it a high-risk, high-reward bet for a team still in a rebuilding phase? Share your thoughts in the comments.
