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 of multiple starting pitchers. They had to rely heavily on the bullpen against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series, and they were worn out in the end. General Manager Chris Getz has already admitted that the franchise is seeking to acquire starting pitchers for the top of the rotation for 2027.
With the offseason approaching, free agency is going to be the main route to improving the team. The White Sox need high-value arms to link to young pitching prospects like Grant Taylor, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith. Mega-market clubs will bid for top starting pitchers, but the Sox can use advanced metrics to identify free agents who offer rotation stability and run-prevention efficiency. Getz must have learned from his trade deadline mistake in acquiring Luis Castillo, who performed poorly and didn’t make the postseason roster. Below are three starting pitchers that the South Siders can afford to acquire this offseason.
Free Agent Pitchers the White Sox Could Target
RHP Tyler Mahle, Atlanta Braves
Some White Sox fans want the team to shoot for the stars and acquire top free agent starters. But the reality is that the South Side is not known for spending big on free agents like Tarik Skubal or Freddy Peralta. The franchise has learned a bitter lesson from Castillo’s trade and will be careful not to pay significantly in other areas of the team in need of new players. That makes Tyler Mahle a good choice should the White Sox go for him. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, but things didn’t go as expected, posting a 5.13 ERA in just 18 starts.
Oct 7, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Tyler Mahle (54) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in game four of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Following his struggles with the Giants, the Atlanta Braves took a big gamble and acquired Mahle for Anthony Molina at the trade deadline. With the Braves, Mahle unlocked his pitching magic, posting a 1.99 ERA in nine starts in the regular season. He was part of the Atlanta postseason team and gave up just two runs in 13 1/3 innings. While the Braves were eliminated in the NLDS against the Dodgers, Mahle earned back his reputation. He should be a good fit for the White Sox with his modest salary, but the minor problem will be his age (33). It will be a gamble for the Sox should they acquire him, but they could use him as a front-of-the-rotation starter.
Advertisement
LHP Trevor Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Trevor Rogers, a former All-Star, will hit free agency this offseason, an opportune time for him to move to a bigger team. In 30 starts for the Orioles during the regular season, Rogers posted a 4.03 ERA with 157 strikeouts and 2.2 WAR in 169 2/3 innings. He allowed just 39 walks. In 2025, Rogers posted a 1.81 ERA in 18 matches and had a 3.60 Expected ERA (xERA), but playing almost double what he did the previous season saw a drop in his usual level. He’s known for his deceptive 92-94 mph four-seamer fastballs that often beat batters on the plate.
Sep 25, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers (28) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
He’s the type of pitcher the White Sox could use, as his profile fits a front-end starter. He also offers the textbook ‘buy-low’ opportunity for the South Siders. In January, the Orioles agreed to a one-year, $6.2 million deal with Rogers. The 28-year-old, who turns 29 in November, has a free-agent market value estimated to be between $11 million and $14 million for a two- to three-year contract. However, it will be tough to presume that the White Sox can get him, as his value could increase should another franchise with more money seek to acquire him.
Advertisement
RHP Michael King, San Diego Padres
There’s no guarantee that Michael King will be a free agent this offseason, as his contract with the Padres features an option out that he will exercise, but it feels likely that he might stay another year in San Diego. King is a former reliever for the New York Yankees and was originally included in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the organization before 2024. In three consecutive seasons with the Padres, he has posted an ERA under 3.50. This season, despite posting a career-high 185 innings, he recorded a 3.21 ERA across 32 starts in 159 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP, becoming one of the most trusted starters for San Diego.
King hit free agency a year ago, signing a three-year, $75 million contract with the Padres that featured an opt-out after the first year and a player option for the third. He’s owed $32 million for 2027, should he choose not to opt out. At just 31, King looks like a great fix for the White Sox with a guaranteed multi-year deal. The only issue will be that the Sox would need to pay up to sign King, but his addition to their rotation would have a huge impact next season.
Advertisement
Nevertheless, with the looming MLB lockout, there’s no guarantee that the market will go out as planned for the White Sox. However, teams will likely still sign free agents after the end of the World Series to bolster their team, and the White Sox cannot afford to sit on their hands, particularly after this year’s return to the limelight.
More Baseball News:
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.