The Chicago White Sox need starting pitching. That much has been obvious for a while — and it became even clearer when Martín Pérez declined his end of a mutual option to return to the South Side.

Now the question becomes: how much is Jerry Reinsdorf willing to spend to fix it?

If recent comments from general manager Chris Getz are any indication, the answer might be not much. The organization appears hesitant to hand out long-term deals this winter, leaning instead toward short-term upside plays — and one recent free-agency prediction suggests a familiar name could fit that bill: Lucas Giolito.

Giolito was once the face of the White Sox rotation. A former top prospect acquired from Washington, he transformed into one of baseball’s most reliable arms during his Chicago tenure. His breakout came in 2019 when he went 14–9 with a 3.41 ERA, earning his first (and only) All-Star nod. Two years later, he was the workhorse of a 2021 rotation that powered the Sox to an AL Central crown.

That era ended in 2023 when the White Sox shipped Giolito and Reynaldo López to the Angels at the trade deadline — a deal that, in hindsight, aged well for Chicago. In return, they landed catcher Edgar Quero and lefty Ky Bush. Quero just wrapped up an impressive rookie season, posting 1.2 WAR with a mature offensive approach that hints at star potential. Bush debuted in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery but is expected back in 2026 as a potential rotation piece.

Giolito’s post-White Sox journey has been uneven. His time in Los Angeles was brief, and after signing with Boston ahead of the 2024 season, his fresh start never really materialized. An internal brace procedure cost him all of 2024. Then, just as he seemed ready to reemerge, a hamstring strain delayed his 2025 debut until late April.

Early results were rough — command issues, inconsistent velocity, an ERA pushing 4.80. But when the calendar flipped to June, flashes of the old Giolito returned. He logged quality innings, battled deep into games, and showed the competitiveness that had once made him a fan favorite in Chicago.

Still, durability questions linger. Late in the year, elbow irritation and a small bone issue once again sent him to the injured list, ending his season prematurely. Boston declined to extend him a qualifying offer, and now he’s back on the market — this time, without draft-pick compensation attached.

For a team like the White Sox, that combination of familiarity, experience, and potential value might be exactly what they’re shopping for. Giolito knows Chicago, knows the ballpark, and still has the tools to be a steady mid-rotation starter if healthy.

Hence why MLB Trade Rumors recently issued a prediction for Giolito to sign back with the White Sox this winter.

It’s a gamble, sure. But in a market where frontline pitching costs nine figures, Giolito offers a rare blend of affordability and upside — two things this front office never seems to resist.

And for a franchise in transition, maybe a reunion with its former ace is exactly the kind of risk worth taking.