The Chicago White Sox enter the third year of their rebuild, and everything appears to be going well for the team that set the all-time loss record (42-121) in 2024.
More News: The Chicago White Sox need one player to step up in 2026 to advance their rebuild
Breaking from their norm of not spending money, the White Sox made one of the more notable free agent signings when they landed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal to pair with their young core, which will help them take a step forward in 2026. Adding the necessary offense they needed after posting the fourth-worst team batting average (27th, .232), the White Sox still need to find pitchers to eat innings for this season, as they ranked dead last in innings pitched for their starters (758.2).
To help fill those innings, the White Sox are showing interest in free agent starter Griffin Canning, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Canning, 29, was on pace to have likely one of the better seasons of his career, posting a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA (16 starts) and striking out 70 batters in 76.1 innings, until a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his season.
Latest notes with @WillSammon:
*Effect of luxury tax on free agency
*Cubs in mix for Bregman, Bichette
*The delay on Donovan
*Mets working trades
*O’s would punt a pick
*Justin Wilson mulls retirement
*White Sox seek SP
*Brewers’ interesting hirehttps://t.co/NTqnT2Qu4l
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 7, 2026
Why adding Griffin Canning would benefit the Chicago White Sox
Jun 26, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Griffin Canning (46) pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Even though Canning is not a big name in baseball, he has shown himself to be a reliable starting pitcher, posting a career 4.65 ERA, but has failed to stay on the field, making 30+ starts one time (2024, 31 starts). Despite his injury history and coming off a terrible injury like an Achilles rupture, signing Canning would bode well for general manager Chris Getz in the White Sox, given that they need starters.
The White Sox have a handful of arms on their roster, led by their lone All-Star in 2025, Shane Smith, but they have two pitchers in right-hander Drew Thorpe and left-hander Ky Bush coming off Tommy John surgeries. Signing Canning would also give the White Sox another valuable trade piece to use at the trade deadline, as they did with right-hander Adrian Houser, who they traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for two prospects and Curtis Mead, who did well down the stretch.
Jun 21, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Griffin Canning (46) checks a runner against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Chicago White Sox need one player to step up in 2026 to advance their rebuild
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