The Chicago White Sox once again turned to the international pitching market to strengthen their starting rotation, completing a move that mirrors a strategy they’ve used in recent offseasons. On Tuesday, the club formally revealed that it had reached an agreement with left-handed pitcher on a two-year, $12 million contract, which also includes a mutual option for the 2028 season. This signing represents another attempt by Chicago to find high-upside pitching talent overseas, particularly from players who rebuilt or elevated their careers outside of Major League Baseball.
Now 30 years old, spent the last two seasons revitalizing his trajectory with the Yokohama BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He produced exceptional results in 2025, logging a 1.74 ERA, accompanied by 130 strikeouts and 41 walks over 155 innings. His success in Japan followed a career path similar to that of fellow right-hander Erick Fedde, whom the White Sox signed before the 2024 season after Fedde broke out during a tremendous year with the NC Dinos in the Korean Baseball Organization.
Chicago benefitted meaningfully from Fedde’s performance during his time on the South Side. In 2024, Fedde delivered a 7–4 record with a 3.11 ERA in 21 starts, effectively stabilizing the rotation early in the season. His success also gave the White Sox a valuable trade chip at the 2024 Trade Deadline, when they moved him to the Cardinals in a complex three-team deal. In return, Chicago received a package highlighted by infielder Miguel Vargas, along with prospects Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus, signaling the club’s ongoing effort to balance competitive intent with long-term organizational development.
According to reporting from MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand, Kay did not lack interest in remaining abroad. In fact, multiple NPB clubs reportedly extended more lucrative financial offers in hopes of keeping him in Japan. However, Kay prioritized a return to Major League Baseball, seeking another chance to establish himself after previous inconsistency across several organizations.
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Kay’s journey to this point has included multiple transitions. A native of Stony Brook, New York, he first gained national attention at the University of Connecticut, eventually becoming the 31st overall draft pick by the New York Mets in 2016. His path soon shifted when the Mets traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 as part of the deal that sent Marcus Stroman to New York, with Kay packaged alongside pitching prospect Simeon Woods Richardson.
From 2019 through 2023, Kay appeared in the majors in varying roles for the Blue Jays, Cubs, and Mets, but the results never fully aligned with his early promise. Across those seasons, he compiled a 5.59 ERA, struggled with command at times, and had difficulty securing a consistent role. After briefly joining the Athletics organization, he elected free agency when Oakland removed him from its 40-man roster. His release paved the way for his January 2024 signing with Yokohama, where his career ultimately rebounded.
Pitching in Japan’s Central League, where the overall competitive level is generally viewed as a step above the KBO, gave Kay exposure to a demanding environment that tests both skill and adaptability. His marked improvement there played a significant role in rebuilding his value and drawing MLB attention once again. Under his new deal with the White Sox, Kay will earn $5 million in each of the 2026 and 2027 seasons, and the mutual option for 2028 carries a substantial $10 million value, paired with a $2 million buyout should either side elect not to continue.
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Kay joins a rotation that is already rich with youthful talent and growing stability. Chicago boasts a core that includes All-Star Shane Smith, along with Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Jonathan Cannon—all of whom contributed meaningfully during the 2025 campaign. With a full season of experience behind them, these young pitchers are poised to shoulder a heavier workload in 2026. Additionally, the club anticipates the return of right-hander Drew Thorpe, who is expected to rejoin the rotation after completing his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
Beyond the current core, the White Sox also possess an impressive wave of young pitching talent working its way toward the major leagues. Left-hander Noah Schultz, ranked as the organization’s No. 2 prospect and No. 40 overall in MLB Pipeline’s rankings, is expected to play a role at some point during 2026. He is joined by another high-upside lefty, Hagen Smith, who sits at No. 5 in the Sox system and No. 88 overall. Both pitchers offer frontline potential and are viewed as foundational pieces of Chicago’s long-term plans.
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Even with this wealth of young arms, the White Sox faced significant offseason questions regarding how to replace the veteran innings they lost. During the 2025 season, the team relied on experienced pitchers such as Martín Pérez, Adrian Houser, and Aaron Civale to provide stability, leadership, and rotational depth. With those veterans no longer in the fold, Chicago entered the winter needing to secure a reliable bridge option—someone capable of providing innings immediately while also offering upside beyond a backend role.
Kay fits this need exceptionally well. His strong performance in Japan hints at an improved skill set, refined mechanics, and a more mature approach to attacking hitters. While transitioning from NPB back to MLB can pose challenges, the White Sox clearly believe that his enhanced command, swing-and-miss capability, and renewed confidence will translate effectively. If his numbers overseas are any indication, Kay carries the potential not only to stabilize the rotation but possibly to emerge as a breakout performer.
Ultimately, Chicago’s decision to sign Kay reflects a holistic approach to roster building—one that aims to balance youth development with strategic acquisitions that offer both value and potential impact. By tapping into the international pitching market once again, the White Sox have added an arm who could meaningfully influence their competitiveness over the next two seasons while also buying time for their highly regarded prospects to reach the major-league level.
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