The Chicago White Sox are the surprise of the American League this season. Two years after posting the worst record in franchise history during the expansion era, they sit at 45-42 and are one of only five teams above .500 in the AL. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen often. But it also doesn’t mean general manager Chris Getz should start cashing in the future for a short-term rental.
The White Sox might win the AL Central. They could grab a Wild Card spot. But they are nowhere close to what this team will look like in 2027 or 2028. They’re not in the same tier as the Yankees, Rays, Dodgers, Braves, Brewers or Phillies. And that matters when you start thinking about the trade deadline.
Getz has to resist the urge to trade top prospects for an arm that might help for two months. The White Sox are not winning the World Series this year. No single rental starter or reliever changes that. So don’t make the mistake of selling off the future for a temporary patch.
The Rotation Looks Solid But Not Dominant
Davis Martin and Sean Burke have been the anchors. Martin is 9-3 with a 3.08 ERA over 96.1 innings. Ten of his 17 starts qualify as quality starts. He’s allowed just six homers all year. That’s legit improvement from last season when he gave up 20 home runs and posted a 4.10 ERA. Burke sits at 5-4 with a 3.69 ERA and 95 strikeouts. But only four quality starts in 13 outings tells you he’s still figuring it out.
Neither guy has the track record of a true ace. Martin is 29 and in his fourth big league season. Burke is 26 and in year three. Anthony Kay, Erick Fedde and top prospect Noah Schultz have all taken turns in the rotation too. But can you trust any of them to shut down a playoff lineup? Probably not yet.
There Are Needs But Also Real Costs
The White Sox almost certainly want to upgrade the pitching staff. Tarik Skubal of the Tigers is the big name floating around, but Detroit would ask for a king’s ransom. Joe Ryan from the Twins or Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays would cost less but still hurt. Even a reliever like Aroldis Chapman from Boston would require real assets.
Getz has to think about what’s coming. Left-hander Hagen Smith throws gas but is dealing with a shoulder injury. Tanner McDougal touches triple digits and has secondary pitches that could make him a frontline starter if he stays healthy. Infielder Billy Carlson has elite defensive tools even after a fractured thumb. Outfielder Jaden Fauske brings power and bat speed. None of these guys are sure things. But they are the kind of prospects you protect, not trade for a two-month fix.
The White Sox already promoted Braden Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci. Those guys need time to develop into stars or at least reliable everyday players. There are second-tier prospects who could be dangled. But Getz needs discipline. One bad deadline deal could set this rebuild back a couple years. And this team is too close to throwing away that progress for a rental.
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