White Sox get bad news on All-Star 3.44 ERA starter trade target

May 9, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

The Chicago White Sox are expected to be buyers at this year's MLB trade deadline based on how the 2026 season is going so far.

They're in first place in the AL Central for the first time since April of 2022, and this club is playing some incredible baseball right now. But, they could use more rotation help, a new closer, and maybe even some outfield help as well.

However, when it comes to 3.44 ERA All-Star starting pitcher Michael Wacha, who Robert Murray of Fansided.com named as a trade option for the White Sox, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic gave Chicago some bad news on their trade odds.

White Sox get bad news on 3.44 ERA All-Star trade target

"Perhaps they can snag a pitcher from the Red Sox or, say, a Reid Detmers from the Angels or a Michael Wacha from the Royals," Murray writes.

Being able to trade with the division rival Kansas City Royals would be very difficult for the White Sox to pull off this season, though it's not impossible.

But, if things weren't already a huge problem to overcome in a potential Wacha trade for Chis Getz and the White Sox, the update from Rosenthal makes it especially challenging.

"So, even if they fall out of contention, they likely will not be as comfortable moving starters such as right-handers Seth Lugo (under club control through 2027) and Michael Wacha (through 2027)," Rosenthal writes.

MORE: Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success

While it's clear someone like Wacha, who is under club control through 2027 and is a good starting pitcher this season, would be an ideal trade target for the White Sox, this fit just doesn't make sense.

Not only will it be hard to convince the Royals to accept their offer as an in-division trade partner, but simply convincing the Royals to accept a trade on its own will be very difficult.

Murray's link to Wacha was always a long shot, but the update from Rosenthal makes a potential trade for someone who would be perfect for this White Sox team a lot more unlikely than it already was.

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