The White Sox may not be done shopping in Japan.
After landing Munetaka Murakami and watching him deliver enough to make the All-Star team - then punctuate the season with a big home run in Game 1 of the ALDS - Chicago appears to have its eyes on the Japanese market again. That was the read from longtime MLB.com White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin, who said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that two team scouts made an August trip to Japan and suggested that “there's something in the market there that they're looking at.”
One of the names tied to that scouting trip is right-handed pitcher Kaima Taira, whom the White Sox were among several clubs to watch in a start where he struck out nine over seven shutout innings and averaged 97.3 miles per hour on his fastball.
Taira has spent his entire pro career with the Seibu Lions, debuting as an 18-year-old in 2018. His 2026 season was his best yet: a career-high 12 wins in 23 appearances, 146 innings, 141 strikeouts, a third-place finish in the Japanese Pacific League with a 1.36 ERA, and a 0.96 WHIP. Those numbers were only topped by slightly better marks from his 2023 season.
Now entering his age-27 season, Taira looks like a pitcher at the right point to test MLB. For a White Sox team that needs starting pitching help, he would fit a clear need.
If Chicago wants to keep building a pipeline from Japan, Shota Imanaga is another possible target. He’s older than Taira and already has MLB experience, and pairing him with Taira and Murakami would give the Sox a trio that, on paper, looks like exactly the kind of move they should be chasing.
The timing matters, too. With the lockout looming, any pursuit would need to move fast. If the White Sox want Taira in their uniform, they won’t have the luxury of waiting around.
In Other News...
White Sox Rotation Search Just Added Another Intriguing Free Agent
The White Sox are still combing the free-agent market for starting pitching, and the list of names tied to their rotation search keeps growing. Chicago has been connected to several arms as it looks to add a starter who can help stabilize the group, with the club clearly aiming higher than a simple stopgap and hoping to find someone who can fit near the top or middle of the staff.
One more intriguing possibility is Dustin May, a right-hander with recent postseason experience who would bring a different look to the mix. For the White Sox, though, he appears to be more of a depth target than the headline move, which leaves the bigger question of which arm ultimately becomes the priority as the offseason unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Rotation Search Just Took An Intriguing Veteran Turn
The White Sox are still casting a wide net in their search for starting pitching, and a veteran name has now surfaced as part of the mix. On the CHSN White Sox Podcast, ESPNs Jesse Rogers said Chicago is talking to free agent right-hander Nick Pivetta, a sign the club is leaving no stone unturned as it tries to bolster a rotation that needs more certainty.
Pivettas appeal is easy to understand for a team looking for help without getting locked into a long-term mistake. He is entering his age-34 season and comes with a recent track record that includes a breakout year in San Diego, though injuries have complicated the picture since then. The White Sox are still weighing internal and external options, so this remains one piece of a broader pitching search, but it is the kind of veteran turn that can matter if the price fits. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Linked To A Rotation Gamble Fans Will Debate
The White Sox are being mentioned in the market for another arm, with MLB Networks Jon Morosi reporting that free-agent right-hander Dustin May has drawn interest from Chicago along with the Astros, Cubs and Padres. It is the kind of move that fits a team still sorting out its rotation picture, especially with several clubs around the league looking for innings and hoping a change of scenery can unlock something more.
Mays path to free agency has already been a winding one, beginning with a one-year deal with the Cardinals before he was dealt to the Brewers during the season. His time in Milwaukee was uneven, and the appeal for interested teams will come down to whether they believe there is more to tap into than what showed up on the stat sheet, a debate that figures to be part of any White Sox discussion if they decide to push further. [Read more 🡒]