The MLB Postseason is still ongoing, so technically, it’s still the 2026 season. Players with expiring contracts will not officially be free agents until the day after the World Series concludes, but it’s not too early to start looking ahead at which players will be available this offseason. White Sox GM Chris Getz spoke to the media on Wednesday about the offseason ahead, and while Getz was non-committal about how aggressive the team will be because he has yet to discuss it with ownership, he did mention a couple areas that the team will be looking to improve in the offseason. One of those, of course, is the starting rotation. There are several quality starting pitching options set to be available in free agency, and here are three I believe could be good fits for the White Sox.
RHP Michael King, San Diego Padres
It’s not a guarantee that Michael King will be a free agent this offseason, as his contract features an opt out that he’ll have to exercise, but it feels likely after the season he had. King, a former reliever with the Yankees organization who made the transition to the rotation with San Diego, posted a career-high 185 innings in 2026 and continued his excellent run in his third year as a starter. King was originally included in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees prior to 2024, and he’s posted an ERA under 3.50 in all three seasons with San Diego. He hit free agency a year ago, signing a three-year, $75 million contract with the Padres that featured an opt-out after the first year and a player option for the third. He’s owed $32 million for 2027 if he chooses not to opt out, but entering his age-32 season, it seems like a great time to cash in on a guaranteed multi-year deal. The White Sox would need to pay up to sign King, but his addition to their rotation would have a huge impact.
LHP Trevor Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
A former first-round pick of the Marlins, 28-year-old Trevor Rogers has really settled into his own since the 2024 deadline trade that sent him to Baltimore. During his rookie season with Miami in 2021, he posted a 2.64 ERA in 25 starts, making the All-Star team and finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year race, but he struggled for the next three seasons. He was limited to just 18 starts in 2025, but posted a 1.81 ERA in those outings, and the Orioles were excited to see what he could do in a full healthy season. In 30 starts this year, Rogers posted a 4.03 ERA, striking out 157 hitters and walking just 39. I was interested in the White Sox adding him at the trade deadline, but he didn’t end up being moved, and I’d like to see them pursue him this offseason. At 29, Rogers should be in the market for a three or four year deal, and he’d give the Sox a reliable lefty option in their rotation.
RHP Freddy Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays
One of the more divisive names that was moved at the trade deadline, Peralta was traded to the Mets in the offseason only to get off to the worst start of his career as the Mets fell out of contention. The White Sox were rumored to be involved in conversations surrounding Peralta at the deadline, but the 30-year-old was ultimately traded to the Rays, where he enjoyed a second-half resurgence. His bounce-back was on full display when he fired six scoreless innings against the Guardians in ALCS Game 2. Peralta will now hit free agency and will attempt to sell to teams that his poor first half was a fluke. I expect him to garner a significant deal, and he’ll undoubtedly have a competitive market. But with a small payroll and a gaping hole in their rotation, there’s no reason the White Sox can’t be involved here.
Freddy Peralta pounds his chest after completing 6 scoreless innings 😤 pic.twitter.com/NwJsrLfpjX
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2026
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