The Chicago White Sox are at a crossroads this offseason, and their pitching staff is the elephant in the room. With the departure of key starters like Aaron Civale and Martín Pérez, the team has a gaping hole to fill—240 innings worth, to be exact. General Manager Chris Getz believes this young roster can take a leap in 2026, but can they do it without a significant upgrade on the mound? Let’s dive into the free agent market and explore who could step in to bolster the rotation.
The White Sox have already made waves this offseason, signing infielder Munetaka Murakami and starting pitcher Anthony Kay. But here’s where it gets controversial: is that enough to compete in a division as tough as the AL Central? With only Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Jonathan Cannon as reliable starters on the 40-man roster, the need for another arm is undeniable.
Who’s Off the Board?
Before we get to the available options, let’s take a moment to mourn the ones that got away. Here’s a rundown of the free agent pitchers who’ve already found new homes:
- Dylan Cease: Signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Michael King: Inked a three-year, $75 million contract with the San Diego Padres.
- Tatsuya Imai: Joined the Houston Astros on a three-year, $54 million deal.
- Shota Imanaga: Accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Chicago Cubs.
- Merrill Kelly: Signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Adrian Houser: Headed to the San Francisco Giants on a two-year, $22 million contract.
- Zach Eflin: Signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Tyler Mahle: Also joined the Giants on a one-year, $10 million contract.
- Brandon Woodruff: Accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Michael Soroka: Signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Dustin May: Joined the St. Louis Cardinals on a one-year, $12.5 million contract.
- Paul Blackburn: Signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the New York Yankees.
- Ryan Yarbrough: Also headed to the Yankees on a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
And this is the part most people miss: while these names are impressive, the White Sox weren’t in the running for most of them. But does that mean they’re out of options?
Who’s Still Available?
The free agent market still has some intriguing names, ranked by their 2025 fWAR:
- Framber Valdez (7.7)
- Ranger Suárez (7.5)
- Nick Martinez (5.5)
- Chris Bassitt (4.8)
- Zac Gallen (3.9)
- Zack Littell (3.7)
- Patrick Corbin (3.6)
- Erick Fedde (3.2)
- Justin Verlander (2.9)
- Miles Mikolas (2.2)
- Nestor Cortes (2.1)
- Lucas Giolito (2.0)
- Michael Lorenzen (1.9)
- Jose Quintana (1.9)
- Aaron Civale (1.8)
- Chris Paddack (1.8)
- Tyler Anderson (1.6)
- Jon Gray (1.4)
- Frankie Montas (1.3)
- Martín Pérez (1.3)
- Griffin Canning (1.0)
- Chris Flexen (1.0)
- Marcus Stroman (1.0)
- Max Scherzer (1.0)
- Austin Gomber (0.9)
- Cal Quantrill (0.9)
- Jordan Montgomery (0.6)
- John Means (0.5)
- Alex Cobb (0.3)
- Germán Márquez (0.2)
- Tomoyuki Sugano (0.1)
Who Makes Sense for the White Sox?
Here’s where it gets tricky. While names like Valdez and Suárez are tantalizing, the White Sox are unlikely to splurge on top-tier talent. After missing out on Imai, it’s clear they’re not aiming for the biggest fish in the pond. Plus, with a young, developing roster, is it wise to invest in a high-priced ace?
Instead, the White Sox might target a mid-tier veteran who can eat innings without breaking the bank. Someone like Zack Littell could be a perfect fit—reliable, affordable, and with a track record of durability. But here’s the kicker: what if they bring back a familiar face?
Players like Erick Fedde, Lucas Giolito, Jose Quintana, Aaron Civale, Martín Pérez, and Chris Flexen all have history with the team. Giolito, in particular, stands out as a strong candidate for 2026, though Pérez’s injury history and Quintana’s age are red flags. Fedde and Flexen, meanwhile, were designated for assignment in 2025, which could complicate a reunion.
Another name to watch is Michael Lorenzen. An All-Star in 2023, he posted a 3.31 ERA across 130.1 innings in 2024 and followed it up with 141.2 innings in 2025. His connection with new White Sox pitching coach Zach Bove from their time in Kansas City could make this a natural fit.
The Bigger Question
Is the White Sox’s strategy of targeting mid-tier veterans enough to compete in 2026? Or should they take a bigger swing to accelerate their timeline? Let us know in the comments—do you think they’re playing it safe, or is this the right approach for a team on the rise?
