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What do we know about how the Chicago White Sox are going to approach the 2026 MLB trade deadline? For starters, GM Chris Getz has indicated that his club could be buyers for the first time during his tenure. As much as the White Sox are hesitant to jeopardize their future for a playoff push, Getz recognizes the necessity of supplementing a team that has played well above expectations and is currently sitting atop the AL Central.
We know that pitching is going to be the primary focus. The White Sox don't have a glaring need when it comes to position players, but the need for innings, high-leverage bullpen help, and improved starting pitching has never been more apparent. And based on reports from MLB insiders such as Ken Rosenthal, it doesn't sound like Chicago is interested in sacrificing its top prospects to get those upgrades.
Based on the information that's out there, White Sox fans shouldn't expect the club to deal any of their top prospects at the deadline, which of course impacts the type of player Chicago will realistically be in contention to acquire.
Still, it's hard to talk about the 2026 trade deadline without mentioning the Chicago White Sox as a potential fit for many of the top names available. When Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN released their recent rankings of the top players who could be traded at the deadline, the White Sox were linked to 10 of the top 25.
This one's for the White Sox fan wondering about the latest buzz, what's realistic, and where expectations should be set as we prepare to flip the calendar to July.
Here's a breakdown of every player the White Sox have been linked to ahead of the trade deadline, along with how realistic each potential acquisition actually is.
The Player: Joe Ryan has been at the front of the Minnesota Twins' rotation for years now. He made his first MLB All-Star Game in 2025 and is putting together the best season of his career in 2026. The 30-year-old enters play on Wednesday with a 5-3 record and a 2.99 ERA over 87.1 innings. Only four starting pitchers in baseball have a better strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Contract: Ryan is under club control through the 2027 season, which will be his final year of arbitration. He'll still be just 30 years old on Opening Day next season, and that extra year of control is certain to play a major role in his market value.
The Fit: From a skill standpoint, Joe Ryan is the perfect addition for the White Sox, but this is simply a move I can't see either side making. While the early expectation is that Minnesota plans to trade Ryan at the 2026 deadline, moving him within the division would be pretty surprising, especially considering the amount of outside interest that's certain to be there.
Some people believe the Twins are going to get more for Ryan than the Tigers would get for Tarik Skubal, and the fact that it's even a debate probably means the White Sox will be priced out of making a splash this big.
The Player: The roller coaster career of former 10th overall pick Reid Detmers has featured plenty of highs and lows since his MLB debut in 2021. We've seen Detmers throw a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, only to post a 6.70 ERA in 2024 and eventually get moved to the bullpen. But 2026 has featured the most complete version of Detmers we've seen, as he's posted a 3.93 ERA, 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings, and a 1.05 WHIP over 94 innings this season.
The Contract: Detmers is still arbitration eligible and will remain under club control through 2028. The fact that he's left-handed and comes with two and a half years of control makes him one of the more attractive names on the trade market.
The Fit: Detmers is a popular name among White Sox fans, largely because he was the first player Chicago was linked to by ESPN's Jeff Passan. And while I do think it's an intriguing fit and one that lines up well with Chicago's competitive timeline, the closer we get to the deadline, the more I start to think this is an unrealistic trade target.
The same thing is true of Detmers that was true of Joe Ryan. Some experts believe the Angels are going to want more than what the Tigers would receive for Tarik Skubal in order to part ways with a controllable left-hander. If that's the case, I don't see the White Sox being the team that puts together the winning package.
Even if Chicago does have serious interest, I'd be a bit hesitant to deal multiple high-end prospects for a pitcher without much of a track record as a successful starter. There's a little more risk here than I'd be comfortable with if I were the White Sox.
The Player: Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Soriano looked like a Cy Young candidate at the start of the 2026 season, but he's come back down to earth a bit over the last few months. Even so, Soriano is 8-4 with a 3.03 ERA over 16 starts this season and appears to be in line for the first All-Star selection of his career at 27 years old.
The Contract: Soriano is arbitration eligible and will remain under club control through the end of the 2028 season.
The Fit: Just like his Angels teammate Reid Detmers, Soriano comes with a lot of club control and a lot of upside. And just like Detmers, I think that probably means the White Sox won't be swimming in waters this deep.
I like the idea of adding a young right-hander with upside and multiple years of control. In Soriano's case, I also think there's a stronger track record of success that would make me more comfortable if the White Sox decided to make a bigger move. I just don't think Chris Getz has something this ambitious in mind.
The Player: Even at 38 years old, Aroldis Chapman hasn't missed a beat. After recording 32 saves with a 1.17 ERA in 2025, he won the Mariano Rivera Award as the AL Reliever of the Year. He's been just as sharp in 2026, posting a 2.08 ERA with 14 saves for a Boston Red Sox team that seems certain to unload him at the trade deadline.
The Contract: Chapman signed an interesting contract with the Red Sox last winter. He's making $13 million in 2026, but also has a conditional mutual option for 2027 worth another $13 million. That option becomes guaranteed if he reaches 40 innings pitched in 2026 and passes an end-of-season physical. We're approaching the halfway point of the 2026 season, and Chapman has 21.2 innings under his belt.
The Fit: Chapman is another player that seems to be linked to the White Sox quite frequently these days. Anytime a contender needs back-end bullpen help, Chapman is the perfect mercenary to bring in at the deadline. But if I'm honest, I don't see this as an ideal fit, especially not for what it will cost.
The White Sox already have plenty of left-handed relief options with Bryan Hudson, Sean Newcomb, and even Chris Murphy settling in nicely since returning from the injured list. I don't think that's a major point of concern for Chicago moving forward. What the White Sox really need is one or two reliable right-handed relievers who can pitch in the setup role and take pressure off Seranthony Dominguez.
The Player: Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara still isn't the version of himself that won the Cy Young Award in 2022, but he's definitely course-corrected and become a productive arm for Miami again. He's 8-4 with a 4.01 ERA this season and currently leads Major League Baseball with 110 innings pitched entering play on Wednesday. His 6.6 K/9 is the lowest mark of his career, but as long as he's getting outs, he'll have value to a contender.
The Contract: Whoever trades for Alcantara will assume the remainder of his 2026 salary, along with a $21 million club option for 2027 that will almost certainly be exercised, giving his new team 1.5 years of control over a former Cy Young Award winner.
The Fit: Of the starting pitchers we've recapped to this point, this one feels like the most realistic. Even so, I'd still be cautious if I were the White Sox.
I think Alcantara is going to command a bigger trade package than he's actually worth, largely because he's still benefiting from the reputation he built as a Cy Young Award winner despite the evidence suggesting he's no longer that pitcher in 2026. I like the idea of adding a right-handed starter to the White Sox rotation, but there may be better value plays available at the deadline, especially because Miami is 41-39 and could ultimately decide to hang on for a playoff push.
The Player: Freddy Peralta was part of a blockbuster offseason trade that sent him from the Milwaukee Brewers to the New York Mets, but he hasn't lived up to his reputation so far in Queens. Peralta won 17 games with a 2.70 ERA in 2025, but he's just 5-6 with a 4.83 ERA in a Mets uniform.
The Contract: Peralta is in the final year of his contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season. During early extension talks with the Mets, he has reportedly been seeking a seven- to eight-year contract. It's all but guaranteed that whichever team acquires him will be getting a rental while Peralta tests free agency this winter.
The Fit: Two months ago, I would've called you crazy, but this actually might not be a bad fit for the White Sox, especially if they can buy low on a two-time All-Star who's having a down year. The Mets are in last place in the NL East and appear certain to be sellers. There's an opportunity here for the White Sox to land a pitcher in Peralta who can eat innings and brings plenty of postseason experience. This is definitely a name to watch.
The Player: Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray has been a timeless wonder for the Boston Red Sox in 2026. At 36 years old, Gray is tied for the AL lead in wins with a 9-1 record and a 2.95 ERA. He doesn't walk many hitters and has an incredibly high floor for a pitcher who averaged more than 175 innings per season from 2023 through 2025.
The Contract: Gray has a mutual option in his contract that would pay him $30 million if picked up by both parties. If the team exercises that 2027 option, he can opt out, test free agency, and forfeit the $5 million buyout tied to it.
The Fit: I think this is my favorite trade deadline fit for the White Sox out of all the names we've discussed. There's no long-term commitment beyond 2026, which allows Chris Getz to continue building his rotation with a relatively blank canvas. It also preserves opportunities for the young arms in the White Sox organization while addressing the immediate need for high-end starting pitching.
Gray is one of the most consistent starters in baseball and would give Chicago another pitcher who can not only eat innings but also deliver quality starts on a regular basis and help get the White Sox into the postseason for the first time since 2021. On top of that, he's a veteran on a Red Sox team that looks like a surefire seller, and I don't think he'll require as much prospect capital as some of the younger pitchers expected to be moved.
The Player: The former first overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Casey Mize reached his first MLB All-Star Game with the Tigers in 2025. He's been even better in 2026, posting a 2.95 ERA over 11 starts despite spending time on the injured list and pitching for a disappointing Detroit team. Mize currently has the highest K/9 of his career at 9.0, the lowest WHIP of his career at 1.07, and the lowest ERA of his career at 2.95, all at 29 years old.
The Contract: Time flies. Mize, who made his MLB debut in August of 2020, is already in the final year of his rookie contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season.
The Fit: If Casey Mize played for a team outside the AL Central, I'd be all over this one for the White Sox. If they somehow found a way to get it done, I'd be thrilled with both the fit and what he would bring to Chicago's rotation. But there are some serious questions here, mainly whether or not the Tigers are even going to trade him.
Detroit has been hesitant to fully commit to selling at the deadline, and despite a 34-45 record, they're still only 5.0 games out of an American League Wild Card spot. If they do decide to move him, would they really trade him within the division? It's possible since Mize is a rental, but I still think it would be a much more difficult deal for Chris Getz to pull off.
The Player: While we're on the topic of underwhelming AL Central teams, Michael Wacha has done his job despite the Kansas City Royals sitting at 34-46 entering play on Wednesday. Wacha has been remarkably consistent over the last five seasons, posting a cumulative 3.46 ERA, and he's been especially reliable since arriving in Kansas City in 2024. This year, he's 5-5 with a 3.48 ERA, and he leads the American League with 101 innings pitched.
The Contract: While he's closing in on his 35th birthday, Wacha still has some club control remaining. He's under contract for 2027 at $14 million, with another club option for 2028 at the same salary. That's potentially 2.5 years of control for an aging starter, but one who's enjoyed a really strong second half of his MLB career.
The Fit: Sign me up for this one. This is another name to watch, in my opinion. Yes, I'm completely contradicting myself and my own logic when it comes to trades within the AL Central, but I do think Kansas City is a more definitive seller than Detroit despite the similar records. I also think starting pitching is an organizational strength for the Royals, making them more comfortable dealing one of their starters, even to a division rival. That's the difference here.
I like how Wacha would not only give Chicago some much-needed stability in the rotation this season, but also lock down a rotation spot in 2027, allowing Chris Getz to check one item off his offseason wish list a few months early.
The Player: Seth Lugo is pretty similar to Wacha. He's 36 years old and has put together several excellent seasons in Kansas City after spending much of his career as a reliever. Lugo really made a name for himself in 2024 when he went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA over 206.2 innings. He's not quite that pitcher anymore, but a 3.69 ERA over 85.1 innings in 2026 is nothing to scoff at and would still be a clear upgrade for the White Sox.
The Contract: Just like Wacha, Lugo has multiple years of control remaining. He's under contract for 2027 at $21.5 million with a conditional club option for 2028 worth $17 million. That option becomes guaranteed if he combines for 335 innings pitched between the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Fit: Lugo's contract definitely isn't as team-friendly as Wacha's. He's also older while providing similar production. My concern is that committing $21.5 million to Lugo in 2027 and beyond could give the White Sox cold feet when it comes to making other big-splash additions in free agency. I'm just not sure he's a big enough fish to justify taking on that financial burden.
For more news, opinions, and analysis on all things Chicago White Sox and the MLB trade deadline, join us here at White Sox Roundtable.
Continue reading...
We know that pitching is going to be the primary focus. The White Sox don't have a glaring need when it comes to position players, but the need for innings, high-leverage bullpen help, and improved starting pitching has never been more apparent. And based on reports from MLB insiders such as Ken Rosenthal, it doesn't sound like Chicago is interested in sacrificing its top prospects to get those upgrades.
Based on the information that's out there, White Sox fans shouldn't expect the club to deal any of their top prospects at the deadline, which of course impacts the type of player Chicago will realistically be in contention to acquire.
Still, it's hard to talk about the 2026 trade deadline without mentioning the Chicago White Sox as a potential fit for many of the top names available. When Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN released their recent rankings of the top players who could be traded at the deadline, the White Sox were linked to 10 of the top 25.
This one's for the White Sox fan wondering about the latest buzz, what's realistic, and where expectations should be set as we prepare to flip the calendar to July.
Here's a breakdown of every player the White Sox have been linked to ahead of the trade deadline, along with how realistic each potential acquisition actually is.
Joe Ryan, RHP, Twins
The Player: Joe Ryan has been at the front of the Minnesota Twins' rotation for years now. He made his first MLB All-Star Game in 2025 and is putting together the best season of his career in 2026. The 30-year-old enters play on Wednesday with a 5-3 record and a 2.99 ERA over 87.1 innings. Only four starting pitchers in baseball have a better strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Contract: Ryan is under club control through the 2027 season, which will be his final year of arbitration. He'll still be just 30 years old on Opening Day next season, and that extra year of control is certain to play a major role in his market value.
The Fit: From a skill standpoint, Joe Ryan is the perfect addition for the White Sox, but this is simply a move I can't see either side making. While the early expectation is that Minnesota plans to trade Ryan at the 2026 deadline, moving him within the division would be pretty surprising, especially considering the amount of outside interest that's certain to be there.
Some people believe the Twins are going to get more for Ryan than the Tigers would get for Tarik Skubal, and the fact that it's even a debate probably means the White Sox will be priced out of making a splash this big.
Reid Detmers, LHP, Angels
The Player: The roller coaster career of former 10th overall pick Reid Detmers has featured plenty of highs and lows since his MLB debut in 2021. We've seen Detmers throw a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, only to post a 6.70 ERA in 2024 and eventually get moved to the bullpen. But 2026 has featured the most complete version of Detmers we've seen, as he's posted a 3.93 ERA, 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings, and a 1.05 WHIP over 94 innings this season.
The Contract: Detmers is still arbitration eligible and will remain under club control through 2028. The fact that he's left-handed and comes with two and a half years of control makes him one of the more attractive names on the trade market.
The Fit: Detmers is a popular name among White Sox fans, largely because he was the first player Chicago was linked to by ESPN's Jeff Passan. And while I do think it's an intriguing fit and one that lines up well with Chicago's competitive timeline, the closer we get to the deadline, the more I start to think this is an unrealistic trade target.
The same thing is true of Detmers that was true of Joe Ryan. Some experts believe the Angels are going to want more than what the Tigers would receive for Tarik Skubal in order to part ways with a controllable left-hander. If that's the case, I don't see the White Sox being the team that puts together the winning package.
Even if Chicago does have serious interest, I'd be a bit hesitant to deal multiple high-end prospects for a pitcher without much of a track record as a successful starter. There's a little more risk here than I'd be comfortable with if I were the White Sox.
Jose Soriano, RHP, Angels
The Player: Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Soriano looked like a Cy Young candidate at the start of the 2026 season, but he's come back down to earth a bit over the last few months. Even so, Soriano is 8-4 with a 3.03 ERA over 16 starts this season and appears to be in line for the first All-Star selection of his career at 27 years old.
The Contract: Soriano is arbitration eligible and will remain under club control through the end of the 2028 season.
The Fit: Just like his Angels teammate Reid Detmers, Soriano comes with a lot of club control and a lot of upside. And just like Detmers, I think that probably means the White Sox won't be swimming in waters this deep.
I like the idea of adding a young right-hander with upside and multiple years of control. In Soriano's case, I also think there's a stronger track record of success that would make me more comfortable if the White Sox decided to make a bigger move. I just don't think Chris Getz has something this ambitious in mind.
Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Red Sox
The Player: Even at 38 years old, Aroldis Chapman hasn't missed a beat. After recording 32 saves with a 1.17 ERA in 2025, he won the Mariano Rivera Award as the AL Reliever of the Year. He's been just as sharp in 2026, posting a 2.08 ERA with 14 saves for a Boston Red Sox team that seems certain to unload him at the trade deadline.
The Contract: Chapman signed an interesting contract with the Red Sox last winter. He's making $13 million in 2026, but also has a conditional mutual option for 2027 worth another $13 million. That option becomes guaranteed if he reaches 40 innings pitched in 2026 and passes an end-of-season physical. We're approaching the halfway point of the 2026 season, and Chapman has 21.2 innings under his belt.
The Fit: Chapman is another player that seems to be linked to the White Sox quite frequently these days. Anytime a contender needs back-end bullpen help, Chapman is the perfect mercenary to bring in at the deadline. But if I'm honest, I don't see this as an ideal fit, especially not for what it will cost.
The White Sox already have plenty of left-handed relief options with Bryan Hudson, Sean Newcomb, and even Chris Murphy settling in nicely since returning from the injured list. I don't think that's a major point of concern for Chicago moving forward. What the White Sox really need is one or two reliable right-handed relievers who can pitch in the setup role and take pressure off Seranthony Dominguez.
Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins
The Player: Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara still isn't the version of himself that won the Cy Young Award in 2022, but he's definitely course-corrected and become a productive arm for Miami again. He's 8-4 with a 4.01 ERA this season and currently leads Major League Baseball with 110 innings pitched entering play on Wednesday. His 6.6 K/9 is the lowest mark of his career, but as long as he's getting outs, he'll have value to a contender.
The Contract: Whoever trades for Alcantara will assume the remainder of his 2026 salary, along with a $21 million club option for 2027 that will almost certainly be exercised, giving his new team 1.5 years of control over a former Cy Young Award winner.
The Fit: Of the starting pitchers we've recapped to this point, this one feels like the most realistic. Even so, I'd still be cautious if I were the White Sox.
I think Alcantara is going to command a bigger trade package than he's actually worth, largely because he's still benefiting from the reputation he built as a Cy Young Award winner despite the evidence suggesting he's no longer that pitcher in 2026. I like the idea of adding a right-handed starter to the White Sox rotation, but there may be better value plays available at the deadline, especially because Miami is 41-39 and could ultimately decide to hang on for a playoff push.
Freddy Peralta, RHP, Mets
The Player: Freddy Peralta was part of a blockbuster offseason trade that sent him from the Milwaukee Brewers to the New York Mets, but he hasn't lived up to his reputation so far in Queens. Peralta won 17 games with a 2.70 ERA in 2025, but he's just 5-6 with a 4.83 ERA in a Mets uniform.
The Contract: Peralta is in the final year of his contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season. During early extension talks with the Mets, he has reportedly been seeking a seven- to eight-year contract. It's all but guaranteed that whichever team acquires him will be getting a rental while Peralta tests free agency this winter.
The Fit: Two months ago, I would've called you crazy, but this actually might not be a bad fit for the White Sox, especially if they can buy low on a two-time All-Star who's having a down year. The Mets are in last place in the NL East and appear certain to be sellers. There's an opportunity here for the White Sox to land a pitcher in Peralta who can eat innings and brings plenty of postseason experience. This is definitely a name to watch.
Sonny Gray, RHP, Red Sox
The Player: Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray has been a timeless wonder for the Boston Red Sox in 2026. At 36 years old, Gray is tied for the AL lead in wins with a 9-1 record and a 2.95 ERA. He doesn't walk many hitters and has an incredibly high floor for a pitcher who averaged more than 175 innings per season from 2023 through 2025.
The Contract: Gray has a mutual option in his contract that would pay him $30 million if picked up by both parties. If the team exercises that 2027 option, he can opt out, test free agency, and forfeit the $5 million buyout tied to it.
The Fit: I think this is my favorite trade deadline fit for the White Sox out of all the names we've discussed. There's no long-term commitment beyond 2026, which allows Chris Getz to continue building his rotation with a relatively blank canvas. It also preserves opportunities for the young arms in the White Sox organization while addressing the immediate need for high-end starting pitching.
Gray is one of the most consistent starters in baseball and would give Chicago another pitcher who can not only eat innings but also deliver quality starts on a regular basis and help get the White Sox into the postseason for the first time since 2021. On top of that, he's a veteran on a Red Sox team that looks like a surefire seller, and I don't think he'll require as much prospect capital as some of the younger pitchers expected to be moved.
Casey Mize, RHP, Tigers
The Player: The former first overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Casey Mize reached his first MLB All-Star Game with the Tigers in 2025. He's been even better in 2026, posting a 2.95 ERA over 11 starts despite spending time on the injured list and pitching for a disappointing Detroit team. Mize currently has the highest K/9 of his career at 9.0, the lowest WHIP of his career at 1.07, and the lowest ERA of his career at 2.95, all at 29 years old.
The Contract: Time flies. Mize, who made his MLB debut in August of 2020, is already in the final year of his rookie contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season.
The Fit: If Casey Mize played for a team outside the AL Central, I'd be all over this one for the White Sox. If they somehow found a way to get it done, I'd be thrilled with both the fit and what he would bring to Chicago's rotation. But there are some serious questions here, mainly whether or not the Tigers are even going to trade him.
Detroit has been hesitant to fully commit to selling at the deadline, and despite a 34-45 record, they're still only 5.0 games out of an American League Wild Card spot. If they do decide to move him, would they really trade him within the division? It's possible since Mize is a rental, but I still think it would be a much more difficult deal for Chris Getz to pull off.
Michael Wacha, RHP, Royals
The Player: While we're on the topic of underwhelming AL Central teams, Michael Wacha has done his job despite the Kansas City Royals sitting at 34-46 entering play on Wednesday. Wacha has been remarkably consistent over the last five seasons, posting a cumulative 3.46 ERA, and he's been especially reliable since arriving in Kansas City in 2024. This year, he's 5-5 with a 3.48 ERA, and he leads the American League with 101 innings pitched.
The Contract: While he's closing in on his 35th birthday, Wacha still has some club control remaining. He's under contract for 2027 at $14 million, with another club option for 2028 at the same salary. That's potentially 2.5 years of control for an aging starter, but one who's enjoyed a really strong second half of his MLB career.
The Fit: Sign me up for this one. This is another name to watch, in my opinion. Yes, I'm completely contradicting myself and my own logic when it comes to trades within the AL Central, but I do think Kansas City is a more definitive seller than Detroit despite the similar records. I also think starting pitching is an organizational strength for the Royals, making them more comfortable dealing one of their starters, even to a division rival. That's the difference here.
I like how Wacha would not only give Chicago some much-needed stability in the rotation this season, but also lock down a rotation spot in 2027, allowing Chris Getz to check one item off his offseason wish list a few months early.
Seth Lugo, RHP, Royals
The Player: Seth Lugo is pretty similar to Wacha. He's 36 years old and has put together several excellent seasons in Kansas City after spending much of his career as a reliever. Lugo really made a name for himself in 2024 when he went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA over 206.2 innings. He's not quite that pitcher anymore, but a 3.69 ERA over 85.1 innings in 2026 is nothing to scoff at and would still be a clear upgrade for the White Sox.
The Contract: Just like Wacha, Lugo has multiple years of control remaining. He's under contract for 2027 at $21.5 million with a conditional club option for 2028 worth $17 million. That option becomes guaranteed if he combines for 335 innings pitched between the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Fit: Lugo's contract definitely isn't as team-friendly as Wacha's. He's also older while providing similar production. My concern is that committing $21.5 million to Lugo in 2027 and beyond could give the White Sox cold feet when it comes to making other big-splash additions in free agency. I'm just not sure he's a big enough fish to justify taking on that financial burden.
For more news, opinions, and analysis on all things Chicago White Sox and the MLB trade deadline, join us here at White Sox Roundtable.
Continue reading...
