The Chicago White Sox traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league outfielder Dru Baker. Thaiss, 30, joined the White Sox in the offseason and had a decent start, playing 35 games with a .200 batting average, one home run, and a strong walk rate of 20.9%. However, his defensive skills behind the plate were seen as below average, prompting the Sox to consider his roster spot unstable, especially with top catching prospects Edgar Cuero and Kyle Teal waiting.
The Rays have been using a catching duo of Danny Jansen and Ben Rortvedt, with mixed results. Jansen is improving, while Rortvedt has struggled. By acquiring Thaiss, the Rays aim to bolster their catching position and may retain him through arbitration if he performs well.
Dru Baker, the player coming to the White Sox, was a fourth-round pick in 2021 and has shown potential as a speedy outfielder, stealing 49 bases in 2023. The White Sox likely viewed trading Thaiss as beneficial, securing Baker as an option for development and adding speed to their roster. Meanwhile, outfielder Johnny DeLuca has been moved to the 60-day injured list but is expected to return soon.
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