White Sox' new complement to young catching core Matt Thaiss eager to assist

As offseason trades go, the White Sox getting a backup catcher in Matt Thaiss didn’t exactly set the internet on fire. And it won’t alter the humble expectations for them in 2025 after this past season’s history-making 121 losses.

But having a left-handed-hitting catcher with six years of experience, someone who’s willing to be a sounding board and support partner with Korey Lee in Lee’s second full season, someone who will be around for the Sox’ prized young stable of catching prospects during spring training — that’s well worth the cash considerations the Sox gave up to snag Thaiss from the Cubs this month.

The Cubs acquired Thaiss, who turns 30 in May, from the Angels on Nov. 20, but he became expendable when they signed free-agent catcher Carson Kelly to a two-year deal to complement Miguel Amaya in their catching mix. Thaiss batted .204/.323/.299 with two homers in 176 plate appearances over 56 games for the Angels last season and is a career .208/.313/.342 hitter with 22 homers in 245 games for the Angels over six seasons.

There’s nothing there that screams “needed upgrade” to the worst offense in baseball, but Thaiss did post a .279/.363/.445 hitting line in the minor leagues from 2016 to 2019. And he has appeared in 47 games at third base, 31 at first, one at second and one in left field, so he has some versatility, as well.

"We like the left-handed profile added to the catching group and see some opportunity to improve the framing," general manager Chris Getz said. "Lee, [Kyle] Teel, and [Edgar] Quero will all get long looks in spring training, and we feel Thaiss offers some experience to a presently developing group."

Catching will be priority one with the Sox.

“One of my strengths as a catcher is my ability to study a game, work a game, call a game,” said Thaiss, who was announced as a corner infielder when the Angels drafted him out of Virginia in the first round in 2016 but has come to embrace one of the game’s most demanding and important positions.

Working with a young pitching staff, along with top catching prospects Quero and Teel — the latter like Thaiss a first-round pick out of Virginia — appeals to Thaiss.

“I know they are young, but I’m excited,” he said.

Thaiss is also familiar with several Sox coaches who came from the Angels, including catchers coach Drew Butera, hitting coach Marcus Thames and assistant pitching coach Matt Wise, so there’s that to help him settle in. Thaiss and Butera were teammates with the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate at Salt Lake City in 2021, and Butera was his catchers coach with the Angels in 2023.

“He was huge for me in 2021 when he was still playing,” Thaiss said. “Just really helped me, a month or two months with catching, and he really helped me elevate my game from that standpoint. And in 2023, as my catching coach, he was unbelievable with the drill work he’d do every day, the kind of mentorship he gives. Guys like Kyle and Edgar are going to see that. Korey has already seen that. He has a way of making sure we’re on the right path at all times. It’s a special part of what he does.”

Teel, MLB Pipeline’s No. 3 catching prospect, was one of four Red Sox prospects the Sox acquired during the winter meetings for All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet. Between Teel and Quero, who’s ranked No. 9 among catchers, the Sox have enough to feel set at the position for years to come. Both players ended this past season at Triple-A. One of them might push Thaiss for playing time at some point in 2025.

His advice for them is what you might tell a co-worker at the office: Work hard and keep your head down and your ears open.

“Trust the coaches you’ve got, the veteran leadership,” Thaiss said. “I told Kyle about working with Drew Butera. He’s outstanding. And he’s going to be a real good resource for him.”

Thaiss should be, as well. His new team is telling him it’s excited to have him and it wants him to bring his energy and leadership.

“All I know is I’m going to come into camp ready to go,” Thaiss said. “Come in each and every day ready to help this team, help this staff get better, day in and day out. And whatever that role ends up being, it ends up being. But I’m excited for it.”