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White Sox could pursue former Cy Young winner after latest Rangers trade rumors

Texas is reportedly looking to move RHP Jacob deGrom. Should the White Sox be interested?
ByNoah Phalen
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Sep 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Degrom (48) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Degrom (48) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It’s officially trade rumor season as we wait for the dam to break on what’s expected to be a busy month of November for offseason activity. Coming off a season where they came just one game short of winning the AL West, it sounds like some big changes could be on the horizon for the Texas Rangers. According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers are expected to look for a trade partner for IF Corey Seager as well as RHP Jacob deGrom this offseason. With the White Sox in the hunt for starting pitching, could a trade for deGrom make sense? 

Let’s start with the pros. Jacob deGrom is about as decorated a pitcher as you can be in the modern era. In his 13 big league seasons, deGrom has won Rookie of the Year, two Cy Youngs, and reached five All-Star games. Even in 2025 at age-37, he was one of the most dominant arms in the American League, posting a 2.97 ERA across 172.2 innings and making the All-Star team. Despite his age, his fastball still averages over 97 MPH, only slightly down from his consistent triple-digits heater of his younger years. He’s proven himself to be a workhorse and he’s as reliable as they come. At his age and with his contract, it likely wouldn’t take a significant return to bring him in. He’s exactly the kind of experienced, high-upside option the White Sox could be looking for to fill out their rotation. 

Jacob deGrom's age and contract could deter the White Sox from a pursuit

On the flip side, there are things that may raise red flags when considering deGrom. His age, of course, is a big factor. DeGrom will be 38 on Opening Day and will turn 39 in June. Many pitchers still excel into their late-30s and his underlying metrics look strong for the most part, but his numbers did take a step back in 2026. He posted an ERA of just 4.20, and struggled with surrendering hard contact despite strong stuff, and he didn’t locate his fastball as well as he normally does. 

Another possible issue is his contract. He signed a five-year, $185 million deal with Texas before the 2023 season, and 2027 will be the final guaranteed year of the deal. He’s owed $37 million this year and has a club option for 2028 at $20 million, so Texas would need to pay a significant portion of that deal to make it worth taking on, especially for a team like the White Sox that already has a bad pitcher contract in Luis Castillo. Texas is likely aware of this and willing to take on some of the money, but unless it’s a large majority, it may not be worth it. 

The White Sox have a fairly low payroll and could simply turn to the free agent market for pitching help, and if they do elect to make a trade, they could go for someone younger and controllable who fits into their competitive window. But opportunities to acquire two-time Cy Young winners don’t come around too often, so it’s an avenue that Chris Getz should definitely explore. With many teams expected to do the bulk of their offseason activity prior to the lockout beginning on December 1, the next few weeks could be crucial toward determining whether the White Sox can keep the positive momentum going into 2027 and beyond.

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