The White Sox are still in the middle of their 2026 season, but the offseason conversation is already starting to take shape - and the biggest need is hard to miss. Their starting pitching has been shaky, and that’s exactly why free agency could become the cleanest way to patch the hole.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report pointed the White Sox toward a familiar name on the North Side: left-hander Shota Imanaga. The fit makes sense on paper, especially for a club trying to build on its momentum and stay in the postseason mix in 2027.
"Sean Burke and Davis Martin are a nice one-two punch, but there's not necessarily a slam-dunk starting pitching prospect near the majors," Kelly writes. "So adding Imanaga could help the White Sox make a second consecutive postseason appearance in 2027."
Imanaga’s profile is exactly why he stands out as a realistic target. Over three seasons with the Cubs, he has logged 86 starts and posted a 3.45 ERA. This year, he worked 174.1 innings across 32 starts, finishing with a 3.77 ERA and an 11-10 record.
That kind of production would give the White Sox a clear upgrade without requiring them to chase the sort of blockbuster arm that may be beyond their reach. Tarik Skubal, for example, is probably too expensive for them, but Imanaga looks like the type of free-agent starter who fits both the roster and the budget.
For a White Sox team that has already turned 2026 into a wildly successful year, the next step is obvious: keep the rotation moving forward. Adding at least one starter this offseason would be a smart move, and Imanaga checks a lot of boxes as a left-handed arm who could strengthen the group in 2027.
Kelly’s connection of Imanaga to the White Sox is a sensible one. He may not be the loudest name on the market, but he’s the kind of underrated starter who could make a real difference.
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