The White Sox signed Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal this offseason, adding to the excitement around top prospect Colson Montgomery’s debut last season. But Chicago’s starting rotation still needs work.
Shane Smith leads the rotation with Davis Martin behind him. After that, it gets murky.
Sean Burke could slot in as the No. 3 starter, though he struggled with command last year. The White Sox also brought in Anthony Kay and Sean Newcomb to round out the back end, with Newcomb trying to reinvent himself as a starter after years in the bullpen.
That’s where things get interesting. With a payroll sitting around $90 million, Chicago has room to maneuver if they want to add another arm.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller thinks the White Sox could target Martin Perez for a reunion or take a chance on Griffin Canning coming off Achilles surgery.
“Pitching of any sort is a clear need, and with a payroll currently sitting at barely $90M, they certainly could afford to make a significant splash if they think that investing now is a worthwhile approach. More likely, though, a short-term reunion with LHP Martin Perez or a buy-low flyer on RHP Griffin Canning coming off Achilles surgery is probably the play here.”
Perez makes sense. He pitched well for Chicago last season and knows the organization. A reunion would give them a veteran presence without breaking the bank.
Canning’s a different story. The right-hander posted solid numbers before his injury, and teams that can afford to be patient often find value in rehabbing pitchers.
The way I see it, Chicago’s not ready to spend big on a top-tier starter while they’re still rebuilding. But adding depth with proven guys like Perez or taking a calculated risk on Canning? That’s exactly the type of move that makes sense for where this franchise is headed.
