A former Houston Astros catcher is on the move for a second time in a week.
Max Stassi, who played for the Astros for the first six-plus years of his career, was traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Atlanta Braves earlier in the week.
Now, Stassi has been sent from Atlanta to the Chicago White Sox just a day later.
Stassi has silently been one of the better catchers in the league, but recency bias has played a role in fans' minds. He missed the entire 2024 MLB season while taking care of his child who was born prematurely.
After a huge 2020 and 2021 seasons, the latter in which he slashed .241/.326/.426 with 13 home runs, Stassi signed a three-year, $17.5 million contract extension.
Stassi will now presumably go to help a struggling White Sox squad, barring another trade or transaction. He could bring veteran leadership to a floundering squad who is unsure of their immediate future.
At 32 years old, Stassi may still be able to provide some firepower and consistency. But the real question will be whether a year off of baseball will have affected his ability to produce at the highest levels of baseball.
As for the Astros, it's interesting they weren't interested in a potential reunion with Stassi after looking for a back catcher for Yainer Diaz. Perhaps age and hesitation on his hiatus player a factor.
Regardless, the Astros will roll into the 2024 MLB season set at the catcher position after signing Victor Carantini to a deal last week.
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