As the MLB draft ends today and the trade deadline approaches in less than three weeks, the White Sox will focus on negotiating trade proposals for its players. As one of the top sellers in the market, several players are expected to attract interest from rival clubs.
According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres are interested in trading for Korey Lee, a White Sox catcher.
San Diego’s Catching Troubles
The Padres currently have a 52-44 record, ranking third in the National League Wild Card standings. Despite receiving negative value from their catchers, they are nonetheless performing well in the highly competitive NL West. Veteran Elías Díaz and former White
This season, Sox catcher Martín Maldonado has -1.8 bWAR, a.195 batting average, and an OPS of.562. The catching position is a weakness in their roster, so it’s understandable that they’re striving to improve.
Lee’s Intrigue
Lee, a 26-year-old catcher, has spent the majority of the 2025 season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. In 34 games, he has hit.262/.342/.438 with six home runs. Last season, he hit 12 home runs in 125 games with the White Sox big league team and contributed significantly.
Above-average pop time and arm strength behind the plate. Lee is younger than Díaz and Maldonado and has four and a half years of team control, making him a possible long-term option behind the plate for the Padres.
White Sox’s Strong Catching Depth
The White Sox traded experienced catcher Matt Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this season, and it makes sense for the team to consider offers for Lee. Top prospects Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel are established MLB catchers.
The future of the South Side. Lee’s chances of getting significant playing time with the big league club are no longer likely, unless there are injuries. Consider trading from one area of strength to increase depth in another. Over the weekend, the Mariners traded for catcher Blake Sabo as a depth option, fueling suspicion that Lee may be sold shortly.
Potential win-win trade.
In this circumstance, determining Lee’s value is the most important question. Although he has limited MLB experience, he possesses a unique combination of power and arm strength.
The plate. He is also still relatively young and has a strong sense of team control. The Padres’ top 30 prospects list includes both infielders and outfielders, making a one-for-one exchange between Lee and one of them a viable option. This trade would improve San Diego’s catching situation and add a young prospect to the White Sox organizational system.
While nothing is official, a prospective deal that would bring Korey Lee to the Padres is worth keeping an eye on.
Chris Getz and the White Sox executive office will undoubtedly debate numerous scenarios over the coming weeks. Expect the White Sox roster.
To look quite different by August 1st.
Leave a Reply