White Sox Target Free Agent Pitcher Griffin Canning

This article takes a look at the Chicago White Sox’s ongoing search for rotation help and why free-agent right-hander Griffin Canning could be a logical fit. With the team already adding two left-handed starters this winter, attention now turns to rounding out a young, unsettled pitching staff with a veteran who can bring some stability—and maybe a bit of upside.

White Sox Continue to Add Rotation Depth

The White Sox aren’t just sitting on their hands this offseason. Chicago boosted its starting rotation by signing lefty Anthony Kay to a two-year, $12 million deal. They also picked up Sean Newcomb on a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

Those moves helped plug some gaps after a rough 2024 season full of injuries and chaos. Still, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon have reported that the front office isn’t done yet.

The club keeps hunting for another veteran starter on a one-year deal. It’s a classic move for teams in a rebuild who want to protect their young arms but not rush them.

Why Chicago Is Still Shopping

The White Sox rotation is still a bit of a mystery. Several young pitchers might compete for starting jobs, but not all of them have much Triple-A experience or the track record for a full MLB workload.

Adding another veteran would give the team some breathing room. It’d also let prospects develop without being shoved into tough spots too soon.

Griffin Canning’s Winding Career Path

That’s where Griffin Canning comes in. He’s a former second-round pick who turns 30 in May. Canning was once seen as a big part of the Angels’ future rotation, but injuries kept getting in his way just as he started to look like a real contributor.

After the Angels traded him in 2024 and Atlanta later non-tendered him, Canning signed a one-year deal with the Mets for 2025. That gave him another shot to prove he still belongs in a big-league rotation.

Encouraging Results Before Injury Struck

Canning’s early days with the Mets looked promising. In his first nine starts, he put up a 2.47 ERA with a 23.2% strikeout rate and a solid 55.2% ground-ball rate.

Some advanced stats like FIP pointed to possible regression, but the results got people’s attention. Then, command issues crept in, and his season ended suddenly on June 26 when he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

He wrapped up the year with a 3.77 ERA, a 21.3% strikeout rate, and a 10.7% walk rate over 16 starts.

Pitching Adjustments That Changed His Profile

Canning keeps people interested because he’s willing to change things up. In 2025, he added a knuckle curve and tweaked both his slider and changeup.

Those adjustments helped boost his ground-ball rates and let him manage contact more effectively.

Why the White Sox Make Sense

Honestly, Chicago seems like a good landing spot for Canning. The White Sox can offer:

Financial Flexibility and Low-Risk Upside

Here’s the thing: the numbers actually work. The White Sox are looking at a payroll of about $87 million, which is way below their recent highs.

That extra breathing room means the front office can chase some low-cost, high-upside moves. They don’t have to worry about messing up their long-term plans just to take a shot.

For a team in rebuild mode, a one-year deal with Griffin Canning kind of makes sense. It’s a small investment with some real upside, and he can eat innings if things go well.

If he stays healthy, maybe he turns into a decent trade chip or just holds things down until the next batch of Chicago arms shows up. If it doesn’t work out, well, the risk is low—feels like the kind of bet a rebuilding team should make.

 
Here is the source article for this story: White Sox Among Teams Interested In Griffin Canning