White Sox starting pitchers logged the fewest innings in MLB in 2026, and manager Will Venable’s postseason strategy contained more bullpen games than traditional starts. So unsurprisingly, general manager Chris Getz repeatedly stated his desire to upgrade the club’s rotation this offseason during his end-of-season Zoom with media on Wednesday.
“That is not unique to other teams,” Getz said. “In our case, I think it perhaps is a little bit more pressing.”
There are a few complications to consider first.
The Sox are talking like American League Central contenders going forward. And after stunning the industry with an 84-win season and coming a win short of the ALCS, Getz’s emphasis on infrastructural improvements, adding new people to his research and development, as well as medical departments deserve attention. But even signing a single free-agent mid-rotation starter might require a bump up for a White Sox payroll that ranked 24th out of 30 MLB teams per Spotrac.com. Getz said he has yet to have a conversation with team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf about the 2027 payroll.
Trade is also an option, with the Sox roster and upper minors holding a surplus of infielders. But negotiations take time, and MLB owners are expected to lockout the players when the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1. When this last occurred in 2021, the Sox wound up making the bulk of their offseason acquisitions during a hastily-composed spring training the following March, rather than in the opening month of activity.
“We’re going to be as ready as we can when free agency opens,” Getz said. “And be able to pounce when need be.”
They’ll need to figure out their internal options first.
Luis Castillo was the centerpiece of the White Sox’ trade deadline acquisitions, but struggled disastrously, recording a 8.42 ERA in nine appearances before being shut down with right shoulder impingement as his velocity waned. Castillo kept rehabbing through the playoffs and could have been an option had the team advanced further.
After a dominant first two months of the 2026 season, Davis Martin was pulled in the first inning of the penultimate game of the regular season–a loss to the Rockies that ceded the AL Central title to the Guardians–and only appeared in mop-up work in the playoffs. Martin managed right calf discomfort for most of the season, but it seemed to crest at the end of the year.
“It was very clear that he was hindered,” Getz said of Martin. “Look forward to seeing what both of those players can do for us come spring training.”
In addition to highlighting Sean Burke, Noah Schultz, and David Sandlin as rotation contributors next year, Getz expects stalwart relievers Grant Taylor and Hagen Smith to become starters “at some point in their careers,” but has yet to confirm if that will come in 2027.
With veterans Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham hitting free agency, and switch-hitting right fielder Braden Montgomery working on swing tweaks to elevate the ball more, Getz said the Sox will also be on the lookout for outfield help. But with Sam Antonacci shifted out to left field this year and top prospect Caleb Bonemer getting center field work in the Arizona Fall League, the outfield could continue to be how the Sox address their glut of infield prospects. Getz said the team’s internal projections will weigh heavily into decisions of who to retain, and who might be swapped for pitching.
Third baseman Miguel Vargas was the team’s best overall player in 2026. Second baseman Chase Meidroth was named an American League Gold Glove finalist on Wednesday, and Getz remains open to locking up first baseman Munetaka Murakami long-term. Getz had encouraging words for shortstop Colson Montgomery, but after he set the MLB single-season strikeout record, and with Roch Cholowsky, William Bergolla Jr. and Billy Carlson looming in the minors, Montgomery has a big offseason looming.
“He’s well aware of adjustments that need to be made,” Getz said.