Chicago White Sox ship out veteran catcher for 25-year-old outfielder

The White Sox have officially begun their trading season by announcing that they have traded veteran catcher Matt Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor-league outfielder Dru Baker.

“The Chicago White Sox have acquired minor-league outfielder Dru Baker from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for catcher Matt Thaiss.”

Thaiss (30), was traded to the White Sox from the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason to give the White Sox a solid backup catcher to pair with their starter Korey Lee. Thaiss has been one of the more “successful” White Sox this season as he has filled in admirably while Lee has been on the injured list recovering from a tweaked ankle.

Overall for this season, Thaiss has hit his career numbers hitting .212/.382/.294 for an OPS of .676 in 35 games. Trading Thaiss made sense since Lee is almost ready to return from the injured list and will likely split the catching duties with Edgar Quero upon his return.

Who is Dru Baker?

Baker, 25, was drafted by the Rays in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft from Texas Tech University. In his three seasons at Texas Tech, Baker was a .324 hitter with an OBP and OPS of .400 and .469 and had an OPS of .869.

Baker, in his five seasons in the Rays farm system, has been a decent hitter and has climbed the ladder as high as Triple-A. Overall, in those five minor league seasons, Baker has slashed .291/.369/.405 for an OPS of .774.

Baker gives the White Sox more outfield depth and adds another option to slide into the outfield when they trade Luis Robert Jr. away. Currently on the 40-man roster and will likely be assigned to Charlotte once the trade becomes official.