MLB

White Sox GM Chris Getz Still Active in Trade Market, Eyeing Rotation and Catching Help

White Sox GM Chris Getz Still Active in Trade Market, Eyeing Rotation and Catching Help

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz is far from finished reshaping his roster ahead of Monday's trade deadline. According to a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Getz is still exploring options to bolster the starting rotation, even after acquiring veteran right-hander Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.

Rosenthal, citing a source with knowledge of the team's plans who requested anonymity, revealed that the White Sox are considering rental pitchers to complement Castillo, who is under contract through at least 2027 with a vesting option for 2028. The deal also saw Chicago absorb Castillo's $30 million salary for next season while offloading Seranthony Dominguez's $15.2 million, giving the club added payroll flexibility.

During a media session on Sunday, Getz praised Castillo's postseason pedigree as a key factor in the acquisition. 'It's really important when you're talking about a pitcher and a starting pitcher and understanding their routine between their outings and how they handle themselves on and off the field,' Getz said. 'And when you have a young, impressionable, hungry, excited group, to be able to insert someone that you know is going to represent what a starting pitcher is, who has that experience in the postseason, is going to have a positive influence within the clubhouse.'

Castillo boasts a 2.25 ERA over 28.0 career postseason innings, including a dominant outing against Detroit in Game 2 of the 2025 ALDS and a scoreless relief appearance in Game 5. However, the 33-year-old has struggled this season with Seattle, posting a 5.06 ERA and 1.395 WHIP across 99.2 innings. His strikeout rate has declined from 9.0 K/9 in 2024 to 8.1 in 2025 to 7.8 this year.

Key Analysis

The White Sox are banking on pitching coach Zach Bove and Brian Bannister to help Castillo regain his form, hoping a change of scenery will yield positive results. Getz acknowledged that at minimum, Castillo provides innings as several starters approach career-high workloads, and noted that some of Castillo's June starts gave the team confidence he can still be effective down the stretch.

Getz also revealed that the Sox explored other Seattle pitchers but balked at the asking prices, which would have required parting with a top-100 prospect or a key piece of the current MLB roster. 'When you're having these conversations about potential rental starters or controllable starters, and you get an idea of what the cost is going to be, and candidly, with some of these meaningful rental starters that will be available here in the next day or so, we didn't want to go into our top 100 prospects,' he explained.

Following the trade, manager Will Venable announced that Noah Schultz will remain in the rotation for now, with Erick Fedde moving to the bullpen. But the rotation outlook could shift again if Getz makes another move before the deadline. Additionally, Getz hinted at potential catching help, saying, 'I anticipate we do something' when asked about adding a backstop, though he offered few specifics.

Originally reported by soxon35th.