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White Sox Acquire Matt Thaiss From Cubs

By Anthony Franco | December 17, 2024 at 7:29pm CDT

The Chicago teams have lined up on a minor trade. The White Sox acquired catcher Matt Thaiss from the Cubs for cash, the teams announced. The Sox had an opening on the 40-man roster, so there was no corresponding move.

Thaiss was only an offseason acquisition for the Cubs. They landed him from the Angels in a cash trade last month. He had a path to backup job behind Miguel Amaya at the time. That’s no longer on the table. Chicago signed Carson Kelly to a two-year free agent deal last week. Amaya and Kelly will split the catching reps at Wrigley Field.

Kelly’s signing made a Thaiss move all but inevitable. He’s out of options, so the Cubs couldn’t send him to the minors without putting him on waivers. Teams rarely carry three catchers on the active roster for an entire season. The Cubs could have carried Thaiss into Spring Training as injury insurance, but they’d likely have been squeezed into a roster move if their top two catchers were healthy on Opening Day.

Trading Thaiss now gives him some clarity and opens a spot on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, which had been at capacity. Thaiss has a decent chance at breaking camp on the South Side. Korey Lee had a .210/.244/.347 showing in a career-high 394 plate appearances this past season. Chuckie Robinson, who has 51 MLB appearances and turned 30 this week, was the only other catcher on the 40-man roster.

The Sox have a pair of highly-regarded catching prospects, Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero, who aren’t far off major league readiness. They were each the headliners of recent trades. Teel led a four-prospect return from the Red Sox in last week’s Garrett Crochet deal, while Quero was the big piece in the 2023 deadline deal that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López to the Halos. Both players should make their big league debuts next season, though they might each open the season at Triple-A Charlotte.

Thaiss, a left-handed hitter, brings more on-base ability than Lee provides. He’s a career .208/.313/.342 hitter who posted a .204/.323/.299 slash across 186 plate appearances with the Angels this year. Thaiss takes plenty of pitches, which allows him to work a lot of walks but contributes to lofty strikeout rates. He has never graded as a particularly strong defender, which led the Angels to move him from catcher to first base early in his minor league career. He moved back behind the dish in 2022 but grades as a below-average pitch framer with subpar arm strength.

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Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Transactions Matt Thaiss

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View Comments (73)
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73 Comments

  1. jawinks

    10 months ago

    Stove is hot!

    2
    Reply
  2. sad tormented neglected mariners fan

    10 months ago

    That’s their new starting catcher just like maldonado

    2
    Reply
    • Big Hurt

      10 months ago

      He probably pairs with Korey Lee until Quero and Teel are ready to take over.

      9
      Reply
      • cwsOverhaul

        10 months ago

        Yeah-and Teel is the guy to count on. It’s nice to see Getz and his advisors valued upgrading D for catcher as vital for rebuild. Quero hopefully can hit his way to value being a DH/backup C that improves enough behind the plate. Too short for 1B.

        3
        Reply
  3. NoNeckWilliams

    10 months ago

    The Sox must have offers for one of their catchers.

    Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      10 months ago

      Nah, this is just depth until Teel or Quero is ready. Then he’ll be traded for peanuts or released. Guys acquired for cash aren’t blocking anyone.

      7
      Reply
      • Rexhudler86

        10 months ago

        @noneck You must’ve not seen thaiss catch. The only thing he blocks is the batters ability to swing. He gets called for catchers interference all the time.

        Reply
        • NoNeckWilliams

          10 months ago

          Then again, you don’t even know how to reply to the right comments.

          2
          Reply
        • avenger65

          10 months ago

          The cubs get Tucker, we get Thaiss, who I’m pretty sure is Max Stassi. I’d like to think Thaiss is a placeholder for Teel or Quero, but the Sox tend to ruin promising prospects instead of developing them. So C of the future Lee and his brand new backup will likely play most of the season since the Sox can’t make them much worse.

          Reply
  4. Datashark

    10 months ago

    Thaiss touring of chicago is complete – how long he stays with the SOX as tipsters mentioned he wants to tour hometown areas of New York or Maryland/DC soon.

    1
    Reply
  5. Jean Matrac

    10 months ago

    The rare intra-city trade between Cubs and Sox.

    1
    Reply
    • Blah blah blah

      10 months ago

      This is like the 6th one since 2017

      4
      Reply
      • Jean Matrac

        10 months ago

        6th? Not that I doubt your word, but care to list them? I remember 2 since 2017, Quintana for Cease/Eloy, and Kimbrel for Madrigal.

        Reply
        • south side hit men

          10 months ago

          Tepera from the Cubs to the Sox for a nobody prospect was a minor deal. 2021 I think. Before those though, maybe John Garland?

          Reply
        • kidbryant

          10 months ago

          Jon Garland trade was in 1998, definitely before 2017.

          1
          Reply
  6. Joe Kerr

    10 months ago

    My condolences to Matt Thaiss.

    4
    Reply
    • enteluj88

      10 months ago

      It must be depressing AF to get traded to the White Sox.

      Reply
      • Datashark

        10 months ago

        look at it this way he may have a better shot to start for a team that may not win 50 games.

        9
        Reply
      • fermier

        10 months ago

        Not at all. For players such as this, it’s a real chance to actually play and not just sit on the bench, waiting. Sure, there’s no chance the team is going anywhere but if he impresses the team with his talent, he could be traded to a better team during the season. So, not depressing at all.

        3
        Reply
        • avenger65

          10 months ago

          fermier: That’s what the Sox are, a place for borderline, at best, players to showcase their remaining talent in hope they’ll get flipped anywhere else in the summer.

          3
          Reply
    • BITA

      10 months ago

      The guy probably would prefer playing time over being the third catcher for the Cubs.

      9
      Reply
    • Blah blah blah

      10 months ago

      This is like the 6th one since 2017

      Reply
      • kidbryant

        10 months ago

        4th, not 6th.

        Reply
  7. Classicfinder

    10 months ago

    Who got old man Potter to drop some cash?

    6
    Reply
  8. CardsFan57

    10 months ago

    I wonder if the Cubs got more than they paid the Angels last month

    4
    Reply
  9. Cubby 2025

    10 months ago

    If the Cubs actually traded $1 to get Thaiss, what could they have possibly gotten in this deal?

    End of an era….

    Reply
    • Rexhudler86

      10 months ago

      @cubby. They got the dollar back with some pocket lint.

      1
      Reply
  10. El Kabong

    10 months ago

    Once again, the “balanced” schedule will favor the other four teams in the AL Central.

    Reply
    • avenger65

      10 months ago

      Kabong: Not their fault Reinsdorf refuses to field a competitive team.

      1
      Reply
      • El Kabong

        10 months ago

        avenger65: I agree, but I wish the good old boys who run the game took such things seriously. Owners shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this crap. With all the money in MLB, we shouldn’t have teams playing in minor-league ballparks and/or owners who refuse to field a competitive ballclub. I feel sorry for White Sox fans. As difficult as it is to fathom, the Sox might be worse in 2025.

        3
        Reply
        • User 2952162988

          10 months ago

          Sadly, this trade for a .200 hitting catcher actually upgrades their backup catcher, enabling them to cut Chucky Robinson off the 40-man before ST. Wowza!

          Reinsdorf knows a financial hurt is coming, so he will contract the payroll to the minimum level while the fan base continues to contract, perhaps significantly. Regardless, their ownership group will ensure a guaranteed profit north of $100M, while the value of the franchise also increases. It’s in preparation to sell the team.

          Reply
        • cwsOverhaul

          10 months ago

          @rotofool: Benintendi has 3yrs/49.3 left on his deal. His rebound after the break and the expected elevated cost of FA vet outfielders like Santander/Teoscar may help JR’s edict for Getz to dump most of it. If a club sees him as an ok 12mil per year alternative, that plays to increasing its bottom line (besides a Robert trade of course for couple good prospects).

          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          10 months ago

          El Kabong
          we shouldn’t have teams playing in minor-league ballparks and/or owners who refuse to field a competitive ballclub.
          ==============================
          One minor league park issue can”t always be remedied. There are no extra parks, so if one gets knocked out by a hurricane, and a team relocates, nothing can be done.

          And it is about 100% impossible for all teams to be competitive. There will be at least 6 last-place teams every every year.

          1
          Reply
        • Unclemike1526

          10 months ago

          Joe. It is possible for teams to play in Major League Parks. It’s one thing for a hurricane to wreck a park, It’s quite another for the A’s situation. That park was a disaster for years. You move the team by planning with 5 years left to go on the lease. But that would take planning and execution which is not really in Manfreds wheelhouse.The Tampa situation could have been remedied by them just paying the insurance on the park instead of trying to cheap it out when an election was coming up and not dragging their feet on the bond issue. But we all know baseball makes hardly any money and the excuses will flow like water. Such is life.

          Reply
        • User 2952162988

          10 months ago

          I agree with you cwsOverhaul, Benitendi’s rebound may have been the lone bright spot of their 2nd half. If they could get a single organizational top 30 prospect, I’d want Getz to dump him. Might take another 1/2 season of production in 2025 to move him.

          Reply
  11. Moneyballer

    10 months ago

    Do the cubs have an actual plan or are they just winging it?!

    1
    Reply
    • El Kabong

      10 months ago

      Did you read the article? The Cubs signed Carson Kelly, which means Thaiss isn’t needed. They have been making moves to improve their team.

      6
      Reply
    • kidbryant

      10 months ago

      They have a very definite plan.

      Reply
  12. HalosHeavenJJ

    10 months ago

    Obviously a clearer path to playing time. He hopefully regains his swing that made him a first round pick.

    4
    Reply
    • Rexhudler86

      10 months ago

      @halosheavenjj. Heck he could even play first or DH with the whitesox. It’s definitely his last shot before going to the kbo.

      2
      Reply
  13. The Brokenheart Kid

    10 months ago

    Wonder if the Sox will acquire a player who I’ve heard of this offseason. Not holding my puff on this one.

    4
    Reply
  14. RagingFE

    10 months ago

    Gotta wonder how much cash was in this deal. Can’t be much with the lack of prospects being handed over from the White Sox. Doesn’t matter that much though, as it’ll juts help the Cubs in their search for Starting Pitching

    Reply
  15. Unclemike1526

    10 months ago

    Maybe the Cubs catching situation isn’t completely settled now that Jed has a few bucks. Well the next thing you know………….Ole Jed’s……

    Reply
    • mike127

      10 months ago

      They are set as they can be this far in advance of opening day. Thaiss obviously had no options left and no chance of making the roster.

      There will be a handful of minor league type guys shuttled in and out while Ballesteros and Aliendo get time in the minors.

      Opened up a 40 man spot (still a good group that can get dumped) and I’m sure the cash coming back was just as non-significant as the cash they gave up last week or so.

      1
      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      10 months ago

      …..a millionaire? Not sure this crowd is cultured enough for that reference.

      Reply
  16. positively_broad_st

    10 months ago

    Kyle Teel was on Foul Territory today. Kratz and AJ were trying to tell Teel that he was almost a lock to make the team out of Spring Training. Teel wisely downplayed that notion. The White Sox acquisition of Thaiss all but guarantees that Teel will not be fast-tracked. And he shouldn’t be. Teel’s debut can and should happen later in the summer of ’25…

    4
    Reply
  17. Mike the Fat Oriole Bird

    10 months ago

    The feeling of being traded to the White Sox from the Cubs must be like the feeling that General Zod, Ursa, and Non felt in Superman II when they were sentenced to banishment into the Phantom Zone and they were in that glass prison, spinning through the universe, screaming for revenge.

    Reply
    • cwsOverhaul

      10 months ago

      Probably the opposite. Feeling of increased opportunity to determine one’s fate in prolonging MLB career.

      3
      Reply
    • fermier

      10 months ago

      Thank you, Roger Ebert!

      1
      Reply
  18. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    10 months ago

    From Angels Stadium to Wrigley Field to Rate Field in a matter of like 7 weeks.

    1
    Reply
    • Rsox

      10 months ago

      More like AAAA-to MLB-a beer league team that could probably lose to most local High schools…

      Reply
      • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

        10 months ago

        Well my point was to point out that the White Sox dropped the Guaranteed from their stadium name. It’s now called just “Rate Field”

        Reply
        • Rsox

          10 months ago

          Either way, point still stands

          Reply
        • kidbryant

          10 months ago

          White Sox didn’t change the name of the stadium … The company that bought the naming rights to the stadium is the one that changed their name.

          Reply
        • avenger65

          10 months ago

          Rsox: Which is why Reinsdorf won’t get a new stadium. His team could play on a high school field and still not fill up the portable metal bleachers.

          1
          Reply
        • Tim Stewart

          10 months ago

          Probably IS kind of a fitting to stop with ANY kind of Guarantees about this team.

          Reply
  19. fermier

    10 months ago

    Not so fast now! Cool your jets and relax. It’s going to be a very L-O-N-G season.

    Reply
  20. Atlanta Jack

    10 months ago

    How many Wold Series have the great cubbies won in the last 100 years ? Just as manny as the White Sox 1 . So talk to me when you win your second in another 100 years.

    1
    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      10 months ago

      Good luck living another 100 years. Unless you have a high level of income like Ricky Bobby I wouldn’t expect to live to 250 years old, even with advances in modern science.

      Reply
    • kidbryant

      10 months ago

      It’s not like the Sox did much better in World Series competition. They went 88 years between titles and have sniffed the playoffs much since their last WS appearance 20 years ago. Cubs have as many playoff appearances since their WS and that was 11 later than the Sox!

      Reply
  21. Aiden Awe

    10 months ago

    He’s a decent backup catcher at best. Having two good catching prospects is a good problem.

    1
    Reply
  22. Aiden Awe

    10 months ago

    Can’t be worse than Chuckie or Maldy.

    1
    Reply
    • Rexhudler86

      10 months ago

      @aiden. You will be surprised he’s a terrible catcher.

      Reply
      • Aiden Awe

        10 months ago

        But the Wsox already have two good catcher prospects, so once Quero is ready to go they can DFA him.

        1
        Reply
  23. Mmm

    10 months ago

    Luis Robert and Chris flexen to the Phillies, Sox take back Pineda. Sox get Crawford and Abel. Win win. Even take back castellenos for more

    Reply
    • Big Hurt

      10 months ago

      Except Flexen is a free agent.

      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      10 months ago

      Castellanos+Abel for a lottery ticket is exactly both teams need to do. I don’t see much in Abel, but he was a high pick. The WS shouldn’t spend money on anyone, unless they can get some additional famr help.

      Reply
  24. Pads Fans

    10 months ago

    So long Matt, we barely knew you. Oh wait, we never even got to meet you.

    1
    Reply
    • Acoss1331

      10 months ago

      That’s going to be the story for the White Sox until they start getting out of the tryouts phase of this rebuild.

      Reply
      • El Kabong

        10 months ago

        Acoss1331 — The tryout phase isn’t just about ballplayers. It’s about every aspect of the organization. As unfair as this may sound, there’s no clear indicator that the proper leadership is in place. Trying times for everyone involved.

        1
        Reply
  25. avenger65

    10 months ago

    To who?

    Reply
    • Joe Kerr

      10 months ago

      The sharks in the AL Central circling them eating up win after win.

      Reply
  26. bmann300

    10 months ago

    Come on Getz-1 more catcher and we can field a catcher at every infield position!!

    Reply

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