The Chicago White Sox made two roster moves in recent days, adding pitcher Chad Kuhl on a minor-league deal and outrighting catcher Carlos Perez to Triple-A Charlotte. Kuhl's pact includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training. Perez is back with the organization after Chicago designated him for assignment to make roster space for Chris Flexen.
Catching Carousel
The White Sox inked Perez during the international signing period back in 2014. The 27-year-old has played in only 34 MLB games over the last two years. In 71 plate appearances, he amassed a .209/.254/.343 slash line with one homer. The White Sox have addressed the catcher position for 2024 by signing Martin Maldonado and trading for Max Stassi.
Chicago chose to keep Korey Lee, a former top-100 prospect, over Perez. The White Sox acquired Lee in a trade that sent Kendall Graveman to the Houston Astros. The South Siders also added top-100 prospect Edgar Quero in a trade-deadline deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Chicago outrighted Perez to the Charlotte Knights after he cleared waivers, and he's no longer on the White Sox 40-man roster.
Minor Moves
Kuhl is one of several depth arms to join the White Sox this offseason. The right-hander broke into the majors at 23 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team that selected him in the ninth round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He spent 2022 with the Colorado Rockies before landing with the Washington Nationals last season.
The Nationals released Kuhl in June after he posted an 8.45 ERA over 38.1 innings pitched, by far his worst season in MLB. The 31-year-old had offers to continue playing, but some things are bigger than baseball. Kuhl chose not to pitch and stay in the Washington area to be with his wife during her battle with cancer.
Kuhl has 615 innings of MLB experience with a 4.89 ERA, mainly as a starter.
In other news, the Houston Astros claimed former White Sox right-hander Declan Cronin off waivers. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut in 2023 after being selected in the 36th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Chicago designated him for assignment to create a roster spot for newly acquired reliever Tim Hill.
What's On Tap Next?
Carlos Perez will likely play alongside the White Sox' top catching prospect, Edgar Quero, at Triple-A Charlotte and provide insurance if the injury bug hits the backstops on the 40-man roster. While Chad Kuhl is here on a minor-league deal, he has proven to be a capable starter in MLB, and Chicago's pitching staff has very few sure things.
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