Chicago White Sox sign former Toronto Blue jays left-hander to $12 million deal
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As we reported in October, former Blue Jays left-hander Anthony Kay was expected to return to MLB after two years with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
He led NPB this year in groundball rate (57.8%) while setting Yokohama’s single season ERA record (1.74) and pitching 155 innings. His fastball averaged 94.6 MPH.
The White Sox have agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with LHP Anthony Kay, per source. The deal also has a mutual option for 2028. Kay spent the past two seasons pitching in Japan after posting a 5.59 ERA in 44 games for the Blue Jays, Cubs and Mets from 2019-2023. Robert Murray was on it.
Feinsand also notes that Kay had more lucrative offers to return to Japan, but the 2016 first-round pick decided to return to the Majors on the deal with the White Sox.
Anthony Kay’s deal with the White Sox will pay him $5 million in both 2026 and 2027, with a $2 million buyout on a $10 million mutual option for 2028, per source.
Kay was part of the Blue Jays trade that sent Marcus Stroman to the Mets
The Stony Brook, N.Y., native previously spent five seasons in MLB from 2019-2023 with the Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets.
He appeared in 44 games (seven starts) with a 5.59 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 85.1 innings.
A former top prospect, he was dealt from the Mets to the Blue Jays prior to his MLB debut as part of the trade that sent Marcus Stroman the other way in July 2019.
Now, he’ll head to Chicago’s south side, joining a White Sox team that finished last in the American League at 60-102 last season.
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Chicago White Sox sign former Toronto Blue jays left-hander to $12 million deal
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