Former White Sox Still Searching for Homes as MLB Free Agency Winds Down

With just days remaining until pitchers and catchers report across Major League Baseball, there is a shocking number of free agents still looking for homes.

The pitching market in particular has moved far slower than anyone expected. You could practically assemble an entire starting rotation of above-average MLB veterans from the remaining free-agent pool alone.

And many of the players still sitting in limbo are old friends of the Chicago White Sox — players who once wore pinstripes on the South Side and are now waiting for another opportunity.

Here’s a look at some former White Sox players still in need of a new home. Is it possible Chicago makes a late addition to reunite with one of them? Crazier things have happened.

Lucas Giolito last played for the White Sox in 2023 before being traded to the Los Angeles Angels.

After a few different stops — and missing all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery — Giolito bounced back in 2025 with a tremendous second half. He finished 10–4 with a 3.41 ERA in Boston, reminding teams why he was once considered a frontline starter.

Chris Bassitt last played for the White Sox in 2014 before being included in one of the worst trades in franchise history, sent to Oakland alongside shortstop Marcus Semien.

Bassitt has since built a long, reliable career with stops in Oakland, New York, and Toronto. Most recently, he was with the Blue Jays in 2025 as they made a run all the way to the World Series, cementing his reputation as one of the steadier veteran starters in the game.

Frankie Montas last played for the White Sox in 2015. Once a top prospect, he was originally part of the trade that brought Todd Frazier to Chicago.

Injuries have plagued Montas throughout his big-league career, preventing him from ever fully reaching his ceiling. With the Mets in 2025, he went 3–2 with a 6.28 ERA over 38.2 innings, striking out 32 batters.

David Robertson last played for the White Sox in 2016.

The former South Side closer has enjoyed a late-career renaissance and continues to pitch at a high level as he approaches his 41st birthday. Robertson appeared in 20 games for the Phillies in 2025, continuing his long and impressive MLB run.

Aaron Civale arrived in Chicago at the 2025 trade deadline in the deal that sent Andrew Vaughn to the Milwaukee Brewers.

It was a worthwhile gamble at the time, but Civale didn’t flourish in the White Sox rotation as hoped. He posted a 5.37 ERA across 13 starts before finishing the season as a reliever with the crosstown Cubs.

Tommy Kahnle last played for the White Sox in 2017.

Since then, he’s carved out a strong career, playing meaningful roles with the Dodgers, Yankees, and most recently the Tigers in 2025. Kahnle remains a trusted bullpen arm with postseason experience.

Michael Kopech, once one of the White Sox’s top pitching prospects, was traded to the Dodgers in 2024 in the deal that brought back Miguel Vargas.

While injuries prevented him from fully realizing his potential in Chicago, Kopech has found success in Los Angeles. He owns a 1.54 ERA as a Dodger and has been part of back-to-back World Series championship teams. Now a free agent at just 29 years old, his upside remains intriguing.

Liam Hendriks last pitched for the White Sox in 2023.

After missing all of 2024 while battling significant health issues — including Tommy John surgery and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma — Hendriks returned to the mound in 2025. He struggled with Boston, however, going 0–2 with a 6.59 ERA over 13.2 innings.

Tommy Pham last played for the White Sox in 2024.

After multiple stops, he spent 2025 with Pittsburgh, hitting .245 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs across 120 games — a solid, if unspectacular, season for the veteran outfielder.

José Quintana last pitched for the White Sox in 2017 before being traded to the Cubs in a blockbuster deal.

Now 14 seasons into his MLB career, Quintana is still getting it done. With the Brewers in 2025, he went 11–7 with a 3.96 ERA over 131.2 innings, striking out 89 batters.

Mike Tauchman last played for the White Sox in 2025.

He hit .263 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs in 93 games, establishing himself as one of Chicago’s more reliable, professional hitters. That said, his declining athleticism became noticeable as the season wore on, and the White Sox may prefer to allocate opportunities to younger outfielders with more upside.

Austin Slater last played for the White Sox in 2025 before being traded to the Yankees.

In 51 games with Chicago, he hit .236 with five home runs and 11 RBIs. He struggled after the move to New York, batting just .120 with two RBIs in 14 games.

Miguel Castro last pitched for the White Sox in 2025.

In a brief stint, he appeared in six games and posted a 7.50 ERA before suffering a season-ending injury and electing free agency.

Tim Anderson last played for the White Sox in 2023.

Once a batting champion and one of the game’s best contact hitters, Anderson’s decline came quickly. After time with Miami and a brief stop with the Angels, he struggled in 2025 and was released after 31 games. He is now documenting his attempt to work his way back to the big leagues.

Erick Fedde last played for the White Sox in 2024 before being traded in the three-team deal that also sent Michael Kopech out of Chicago.

In a difficult 2025 split between St. Louis, Atlanta, and Milwaukee, Fedde finished 4–13 with a 5.49 ERA across 141 innings, striking out 83 batters.