Free Agent Pitchers Who Could Complete the Chicago White Sox Rotation
The Chicago White Sox's 2026 season ended a week ago in Cleveland, leaving them time to plan for next year. After making the postseason for the first time in five years behind a youthful team, the White Sox showed noticeable lapses that kept them from playing at their best. One of these is a lack …
The Chicago White Sox concluded their 2026 season in Cleveland, paving the way for future planning. Though they made it to the postseason for the first time in five years, lapses in performance limited their success. A notable issue was their reliance on the bullpen against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series, resulting in fatigue.
General Manager Chris Getz has already signaled the team's intention to bolster the starting rotation for 2027 through free agency. The White Sox need to secure high-value arms that can complement their young pitching prospects like Grant Taylor, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith. To achieve this, advanced metrics will be utilized to identify suitable free-agent pitchers.
Among the potential candidates, Tarik Skubal, Michael King, Shota Imanaga, Kris Bubic, Trevor Rogers, Robbie Ray, and Sandy Alcantara are under consideration. However, the Sox will likely focus on affordable options, steering clear of significant financial commitments, as demonstrated by their caution after trading Luis Castillo, who underperformed and was not part of the postseason roster.
Tyler Mahle, who played for the Atlanta Braves, is a potential target. Although he posted a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts with the San Francisco Giants, his performance improved significantly with the Braves, where he achieved a 1.99 ERA in nine regular-season starts. Despite his age (33), Mahle could serve as a solid front-of-the-rotation starter for the White Sox.
Trevor Rogers, a former All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles, is also a promising option. In 30 starts for the Orioles, he recorded a 4.03 ERA and 157 strikeouts, and his free agent market value is estimated between $11 million and $14 million. King, a reliable starter with the San Diego Padres, has a 3.21 ERA across 32 starts this season and a 3.21 ERA over 185 innings.
His contract includes an opt-out after the first year, making him a potentially affordable option for the White Sox.
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