White Sox's $8 million reliever could be on the bad side of a DFA

The Chicago White Sox have been one of the more surprising teams this season, sitting three games over .500 (34-31) and are two games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the lead in the American League Central.

The reason for the success is with players like shortstop Colson Montgomery taking a step forward in his development (second on the team in home runs: 16 and third in RBI: 38) and Munetaka Murakami proving a successful offseason signing (third in Major League Baseball in home runs: 20). 

Despite the success of a majority of their players, some, like right-hander Jordan Hick have not been doing so hot. 

Jordan Hicks' lack of success with the Chicago White Sox could get him DFA'd

Since his acquisition from the Boston Red Sox in February (right-hander David Sandlin was also in the deal), Hicks has been one of the worst pitchers in the bullpen. In 20 appearances, the 29-year-old has a 5.60 ERA and has allowed a .299 batting average against in 17.2 innings. 

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The right-hander is currently on the injured list with a right lat strain, but that may not stop the White Sox from parting ways with him, as the bullpen has the eighth-best ERA in the American League (4.44). 

According to Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, if the White Sox can't trade Hicks, then a DFA is the way to go. 

"Hicks is presently on the IL with a lat strain and the White Sox still owe him another $8M next season," wrote Miller. "Factor in the $4M per season that Boston retained when it sent him to Chicago and he actually has the third-highest salary on this roster."

Miller added: "But after both the Giants and Red Sox found a way to trade him away in the past calendar year, the White Sox might just throw in the towel on Hicks if he returns from the shelf every bit as erratic as he had been before the injury: 17.2 IP, 17 BB, 3 WP, 1 HBP."

Hicks is likely to return this month, and the White Sox will need to decide if he is worth keeping around or if they should rip the band-aid off now. 

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