White Sox Could Cash In Big By Dealing This Surging Starter

Since the White Sox are last in the American League, it is likely that they will be active on the trade market selling off players. They will have plenty of teams interested, as there are a few guys on this roster that contending teams could use for a playoff run.

One of the players on the team that could generate significant interest is starting pitcher Davis Martin, as he has pitched very well this year and has five years left of team control.

So far in 62.2 innings, Martin has a very solid 3.45 ERA. He has struck out 38 batters while walking 16. Additionally, hitters are hitting .263 off him and he has a 1.26 WHIP. While the batting average against isn’t the greatest, he is consistently able to work around any trouble he finds himself in.

Davis Martin, Wicked 89mph Cutter. ✂️ pic.twitter.com/AEwKm4TFKI

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 15, 2025

Martin has been even better over his last seven starts, as he has a 2.68 ERA over 40.1 innings, striking out 25 to go along with a 1.14 WHIP. These are much better than his overall numbers, as he has had three straight quality starts.

Martin’s ERA is inflated by one bad start against Detroit where he gave up seven runs over five innings. Other than that, he has only given up more than three runs in a start just two times. Martin isn’t going to be an ace of the rotation, but he is the perfect 3/4 starter, as he can go deep into games and give the team a chance to win every time he gets out there.

There has been some discourse on whether it is a smart move to trade Martin, as he is 28 and under team control for five more years. However, due to his age and the White Sox having a ton of organizational pitching depth, including a few recovering from TJ surgery, the White Sox may be smart to trade out of a position of strength for hitting prospects.

Martin’s value may never be higher, and it seems that the intention of the White Sox is that they will trade him at the deadline, as reports by Mark Feinsand indicates that the White Sox will attempt to move Martin at the deadline.

#WhiteSox SP Davis Martin is likely to be dealt at the deadline, per @Feinsand pic.twitter.com/RY8XxoSCXl

— White Sox Nation (@WhiSoxNationCHI) May 30, 2025

If the White Sox could get a top hitting prospect and more for Martin, I think it would be hard not to trade him, as they have Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, and now Shane Smith pitching well in the MLB rotation. On top of that, you have two top-30 pitching prospects in Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith. If that wasn’t enough, you will have Drew Thorpe, Ky Bush, and Mason Adams all returning from TJ next year, so the organizational pitching depth is there to be able to make a move.

There will be plenty of teams out there looking for starting pitching at the deadline, so the White Sox could easily capitalize on a huge need of teams. There will also be a long list of teams interested, including smaller markets, as teams would not have to mortgage the future for just a half season, as Martin is cheap and under team control for the foreseeable future.

Martin should fetch the White Sox a very good prospect and while it hurts to continue to trade away good players, the White Sox would likely be making the right move, especially if they can get an outfield prospect that is on the same timeline as the rest of the young hitters in the organization.