The White Sox added some depth to the rotation already this winter, signing lefties Anthony Kay again Sean Newcomb for two-year and one-year contracts ($12MM for Kay; $4.5MM for Newcomb). Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported this morning that the South Siders are still hoping to bring in another veteran arm on a one-year deal, Griffin Canning between their target jars.
There is no indication that a deal is imminent. Canning isn’t Chicago’s only target, and the White Sox aren’t the only team looking to potentially sign him. The balance between the two groups makes sense, however.
Canning, 30 in May, is a second-round pick and a top prospect with the Angels. He showed flashes of potential in all five seasons with the Halos, but injuries set him back several times. The Angels ended up trading him Jorge Soler in the agreement of Nov. 2024 with the Braves. Atlanta did not tender him a few weeks later. Canning went on to sign a one-year deal with the Mets.
At the start of the 2025 campaign, that low-cost acquisition looked like a steal for the Mets. Add to the rotation mix after the spring damage to Frankie Montas again Sean ManaeaCanning ran out of the gates with a 2.47 ERA, a 23.2% strikeout rate, an 8.6% walk rate and a 55.2% groundball rate in his nine starts. Independent metrics like FIP (3.84) and FIP (3.92) weren’t as good as his earned run average, but Canning looked more like a middle-of-the-rotation arm during that nearly two-month span.
The right-hander then ran into trouble with his command, issuing 18 walks over the next 26 1/3 frames. His numbers obviously took a step back on track, and Canning didn’t get much of a chance to right the ship. He went 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Braves on June 26 when he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon. Overall, Canning closed out the year with a 3.77 ERA, a 21.3% strikeout rate, a 10.7% walk rate and a 50.9% grounder rate.
The rise in grounders was a new development for Canning, who had previously managed just a career-low 39.5% groundball rate. The Mets ditched his former curveball in favor of a knuckle curve, but the most striking aspect of his new success in that regard was the changes in his slider and changeup, which produced grounders at a respective rate of 57% and 62%. Canning threw his slider at a career-high in ’25 and used his four-seamer in a career-low mark (while also averaging 94.1 mph on the field – second best of his career).
As disappointing as he finished the season, Canning showed enough in his 16 starts with the Mets to command a major league deal this winter. He is a quality player, which makes him a good fit for a team that can promise him a transfer spot and release him every fifth day. The White Sox, still working through another rebuilding effort, could provide that opportunity much more easily than a clear contender.
Meanwhile, each of Kay’s, Shane Smith, Sean Burke again Davis Martin they are just locked to the manager Will Venableto go around. Newcomb could compete for the starting gig this spring but has spent more time in the bullpen in recent seasons. Jonathan Cannon will be in the mix but has a minor league option remaining. Hopes are high Noah Schultz again Hagen Smith both could be seen in 2026, but each could use minor league time. Smith never pitched in Triple-A, and Schultz struggled there in five starts (9.37 ERA) after a much stronger showing in Double-A. Both southpaws can stand to improve their command, especially.
Whether it’s Canning or another veteran, there seems to be enough room for at least one more arm in the White Sox’ rotation. Kay is looking to continue his NPB streak but has never had major league success. Smith (2024 Rule 5 pick) and Burke have just one season of solid hitting in the majors. Martin pitched as the fourth or fifth starter in parts of three MLB seasons. Smith, Martin and Burke all have minor league options remaining.
Currently, RosterResource projects an $87MM payroll for the White Sox. That’s more than $100MM shy of their franchise record mark, which is set back to 2022 ($193MM). The Sox carried $75MM in payroll on Opening Day last year but were over $100MM in both 2024 ($123MM) and 2023 ($181MM).
