The Chicago White Sox continue to explore options to strengthen their starting rotation, with a former Los Angeles Angels right-hander now emerging as a reported target late in the offseason.

According to a report from The New York Times, the White Sox expressed interest in right-handed starter Griffin Canning in late December, though Chicago is not alone in monitoring his market.

Multiple teams are believed to be keeping tabs on Canning, suggesting that competition could arise should negotiations progress beyond exploratory discussions.

At 29 years old, Canning represents a blend of relative youth and established Major League experience, a profile that aligns with Chicago’s current roster-building approach.

Canning spent the 2025 season with the New York Mets, where he delivered a productive first half before his campaign was abruptly derailed by injury.

Over 76.1 innings, Canning posted a respectable 3.77 ERA, offering stability to the Mets’ rotation during the early portion of the season.

Through his first 16 starts, he consistently gave New York a chance to win, limiting damage and keeping games manageable despite modest strikeout totals.

Unfortunately, his momentum was halted in June when he suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon, ending his season prematurely.

Before the injury, Canning showed notable improvements in pitch effectiveness, particularly with his breaking ball arsenal.

His slider and curveball emerged as two of his most reliable weapons, allowing him to neutralize both right-handed and left-handed hitters.

Opponents hit just .196 against his changeup last season, a strong indicator of deception and late movement within his pitch mix.

Additionally, his curveball generated a 26 percent whiff rate, ranking favorably among starting pitchers with similar workloads.

That combination of pitch diversity and swing-and-miss capability has made Canning an appealing bounce-back candidate across the league.

Prior to joining the Mets, Canning spent the first six seasons of his Major League career with the Los Angeles Angels.

His tenure in Anaheim was marked by flashes of promise, interrupted frequently by injuries and inconsistency.

Canning missed the entire 2022 season due to injury, a setback that slowed what once appeared to be a steady developmental arc.

Despite those challenges, he has demonstrated the ability to function as a reliable mid-rotation starter when healthy.

For the White Sox, health risk is a factor, but so is upside, especially for a team seeking innings without sacrificing long-term flexibility.

Chicago’s rotation picture has become increasingly crowded following several recent developments.

The addition of Anthony Kay provided immediate depth, giving the club another left-handed option capable of covering innings at the back end.

Meanwhile, prospects Drew Thorpe and Ky Bush are both expected to return from injury at some point during the upcoming season.

Thorpe remains a key developmental piece, while Bush’s recovery could add another controllable arm to the mix.

Sean Burke also enters the season with momentum after flashing upside and earning the Opening Day start last year.

Those performances reinforced the organization’s belief that Burke can be part of the rotation moving forward.

At the top of the rotation, Davis Martin and Shane Smith appear firmly entrenched as starters.

Martin is coming off a career-high workload of 142.2 innings, a notable jump that raises questions about managing fatigue and durability.

Smith, meanwhile, is entering just his second Major League season, making workload management a priority for the coaching staff.

Given those factors, the White Sox still have room for another starter capable of absorbing innings and stabilizing the rotation.

Canning fits that description, even if he does not profile as a traditional workhorse.

His career-high workload stands at 171.2 innings, set during the 2024 season, demonstrating he can handle a full starter’s load under the right circumstances.

However, coming off a significant lower-body injury, Chicago would likely manage his innings carefully.

That limitation could actually align well with the White Sox’s broader developmental goals.

The organization has expressed interest in getting extended looks at Thorpe and Bush during the season.

Adding Canning would allow Chicago to be flexible with those evaluations rather than forcing prospects into high-leverage innings prematurely.

It would also help the club avoid the frequent use of openers that defined much of last season’s rotation strategy.

Last year, Chicago often relied on bullpen games due to a lack of dependable starter depth.

While that approach offered short-term solutions, it taxed the bullpen and limited strategic consistency.

Canning’s presence could reduce that strain by providing predictable innings every fifth day.

Even if limited to five or six innings per start, his reliability would carry tangible value.

From a stylistic standpoint, Canning’s profile appears well-suited for a hitter-friendly park like Rate Field.

Last season, he generated ground balls at a 51.6 percent rate, ranking among the top pitchers in Major League Baseball.

That ability to keep the ball on the ground is critical in Chicago, where fly balls often turn into extra-base hits.

Ground-ball pitchers tend to fare better in environments with shorter porches and unpredictable wind patterns.

Canning’s approach emphasizes contact management rather than overpowering velocity.

That skill set can age well and adapt to varying defensive alignments behind him.

For the White Sox, whose infield defense has improved incrementally, that synergy could be particularly beneficial.

Financially, Canning is also an attractive option.

He is unlikely to command a long-term or high-dollar commitment given his recent injury history.

That flexibility fits Chicago’s cautious spending approach as they continue reshaping the roster.

Rather than investing heavily in free-agent starters, the White Sox have prioritized upside and internal growth.

Canning represents a middle ground, offering experience without blocking younger arms.

The medical component will remain central to any potential agreement.

Achilles injuries can be unpredictable, particularly for pitchers who rely on lower-body drive and balance.

However, reports indicate that Canning’s rehab is progressing as expected.

If medical evaluations remain positive, Chicago’s interest could intensify.

The White Sox are not under pressure to rush a decision, given their current depth.

But adding another proven starter could provide insurance against setbacks or slow recoveries.

Depth was a recurring issue last season, and the front office appears intent on avoiding a repeat.

Canning’s track record suggests he can consistently keep games competitive, even without dominant stuff.

That reliability has value for a team navigating a transitional phase.

Chicago is unlikely to contend immediately, but establishing stability remains a key objective.

Adding pitchers who can take the ball every fifth day helps accelerate that process.

It also allows the coaching staff to deploy young arms strategically rather than reactively.

If signed, Canning would not be expected to anchor the rotation.

Instead, he would serve as a stabilizing presence, bridging the gap between veterans and prospects.

Such roles are often overlooked but can be crucial to maintaining structure over a long season.

The White Sox’s interest in Canning reflects a broader philosophy centered on calculated risk.

Rather than chasing high-priced arms, Chicago is targeting pitchers whose value could rebound in the right environment.

Canning’s pitch mix improvements suggest his recent success was not purely circumstantial.

If those gains hold, he could exceed expectations relative to cost.

Competition from other teams could complicate negotiations, but Chicago’s clear role and need may work in their favor.

For Canning, joining a rotation with manageable expectations could offer a pathway to reestablishing his value.

A healthy season in Chicago could position him well for future opportunities.

For the White Sox, the upside lies in acquiring stability without sacrificing long-term flexibility.

As the offseason continues, Canning remains a name worth monitoring closely.

Whether or not a deal materializes, his profile fits what Chicago appears to be seeking.

If the White Sox choose to move forward, Griffin Canning could become a quietly important piece in their evolving rotation picture.