The Chicago White Sox added another option behind the plate Tuesday, acquiring catcher Matt Thaiss from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations.
It was a quick stop on the North Side for Thaiss, who the Cubs had just acquired in a November trade from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.
The 29-year-old had a .204 average (32-for-157) with nine doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 57 games with the Angels in 2024. The Angels designated Thaiss for assignment on Nov. 14 and dealt him to the Cubs on Nov. 20.
Thaiss has a .208/.313/.342 slash line with 23 doubles, 22 home runs and 79 RBIs in 245 career games during parts of six major-league seasons with the Angels (2019-24). He had career highs in home runs (nine), RBIs (31) and games (95) in 2023.
He becomes part of a catching mix that includes Korey Lee, Chuckie Robinson and highly-touted prospects Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel.
Lee served as the primary catcher for the Sox in 2024, slashing .210/.244/.347 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs in 125 games. Robinson joined the Sox from Triple-A Charlotte in July and spent the remainder of the season as the team’s backup catcher.
Quero, rated the No. 6 prospect in the organization by MLB.com, had a combined .280 average with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs in 98 games for Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte in 2024.
MLB.com ranks Teel as the No. 2 prospect in the White Sox organization after he was one of the four minor-leaguers acquired from the Boston Red Sox for starter Garrett Crochet on Dec. 11. Teel slashed .288/.386/.433 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs, 78 RBIs, 88 runs, 68 walks and 12 stolen bases in 112 games last season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.
With Tuesday’s move, the Sox 40-man roster increases to 40.
