The White Sox haven’t made the loudest splash this offseason, but make no mistake - they’re stirring beneath the surface. While the top of the starting pitching market has moved slowly, Chicago appears to be positioning itself as one of the more active teams in the mid-tier pitching sweepstakes. And that’s not just speculation - there’s real smoke here.
After adding left-hander Anthony Kay to the rotation, GM Chris Getz made it clear the club isn’t done. “It’s fair to assume that we’re going to continue to add to our starting pitching,” he said earlier this month. That lines up with a recent report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who named the White Sox among the most aggressive teams targeting that next tier of available arms - a group that includes the Orioles, Angels, Nationals, Mets, Padres, and Diamondbacks.
Let’s break down what that means.
The White Sox Rotation Needs Help - and Fast
Right now, the White Sox rotation is more of a framework than a finished product. Shane Smith and Davis Martin are expected to be in the mix, and Kay gives them another lefty option.
But beyond that, it’s a lot of question marks - and not the good kind. This is a young, unproven group in need of veteran stability.
That’s why the mid-tier market is so important for Chicago.
We’re talking about a group of pitchers that includes names like Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, Nick Martinez, Zack Littell, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Tayler Mahle, German Marquez, Walker Buehler, Patrick Corbin, and Michael Lorenzen. Some are proven workhorses.
Others are bounceback candidates with upside. A few are future Hall of Famers who could double as mentors for a young staff trying to find its identity.
Mid-Tier Doesn’t Mean Mid-Impact
This tier of pitchers might not come with the fanfare of a frontline ace, but the impact they can have - especially for a team like the White Sox - is significant. Take someone like Bassitt or Littell: steady, reliable, and capable of giving you 150+ innings without blowing up the ERA.
That’s gold for a team trying to stabilize its rotation. Giolito and Mahle, when healthy, have shown flashes of top-of-the-rotation stuff.
And then you’ve got guys like Marquez or Buehler, who are coming off injuries but have the kind of upside that can change a season if things click.
Even the elder statesmen, Verlander and Scherzer, bring value beyond the box score. If the White Sox are serious about developing their young arms, who better to show them the ropes than two of the most accomplished pitchers of their generation?
Money Talks - and the White Sox Have Room to Spend
We’ve already seen what this tier of pitcher might cost. Adrian Houser just landed $11 million AAV with the Giants.
Dustin May is heading to the Cardinals for $12.5 million. That gives us a ballpark range.
The good news? The White Sox have the payroll flexibility to play in that space.
Getz has said the team will be “aggressive in the right places,” and this feels like exactly that.
Chicago was never expected to chase the top-tier arms this winter - no Yamamoto or Snell-level pursuits here. But that doesn’t mean they can’t make meaningful moves. The key is landing the right fit: someone who can eat innings, provide leadership, and maybe even offer a little upside if things break right.
Aggression Is Encouraging - Now It’s About Execution
Being active in the market is one thing. Closing deals is another.
But the fact that the White Sox are putting themselves in the mix is a strong sign. After a quiet offseason last year, the front office seems more engaged and more willing to make the kinds of additions that can actually move the needle.
There’s still work to be done, and the pitching market is notoriously competitive. But with several viable options still available and the White Sox clearly in pursuit, there’s reason for optimism on the South Side.
The rotation needs help, and the front office knows it. Now it’s just a matter of who’s willing to sign, and whether Chicago is ready to seal the deal.
The next few weeks will be telling. If the White Sox can land one or two of these mid-tier arms, it could go a long way toward solidifying the rotation and setting the tone for a more competitive 2026. For now, fans can take some comfort in knowing the team isn’t sitting still - and that Chris Getz is working the phones with purpose.