The Chicago White Sox have made a difficult late-spring decision behind the plate—one that could cost them a player entirely.
Catcher Korey Lee will not be part of the team’s Opening Day roster, according to reports, leaving the organization with a complicated next step due to his lack of minor league options.
Because Lee cannot be sent to the minors freely, the White Sox must designate him for assignment if they want to remove him from the roster. From there, he would need to clear waivers before being outrighted to Triple-A. Alternatively, the team could look to trade him in the coming days to avoid losing him for nothing.
This situation developed quickly after a shift in Chicago’s catching plans.
Earlier in camp, the White Sox appeared comfortable carrying three catchers into the season. Top prospects Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero were expected to split time between catcher and designated hitter, with Lee serving as a traditional backup option.
But that plan changed when Teel suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during the World Baseball Classic, sidelining him for several weeks.
Rather than pairing Quero and Lee to start the season, Chicago pivoted—signing veteran catcher Reese McGuire to a one-year deal shortly after he opted out of a minor league contract with Milwaukee. That move effectively forced the White Sox to make a call on Lee’s future.
Manager Will Venable acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, emphasizing Lee’s strong presence both on and off the field.
He described Lee as an important part of the organization and praised his performance during spring training, as well as his relationships in the clubhouse. Still, roster constraints ultimately made the situation unavoidable.
Lee’s path to this point has been anything but straightforward.
Originally a first-round pick by the Houston Astros in 2019, he was once viewed as a potential long-term answer at catcher. However, Houston’s depth at the position—including the emergence of Yainer Diaz—led to Lee being traded to Chicago in 2023.
He received his most extended opportunity in 2024, appearing in a significant number of games during a difficult season for the White Sox. While he showed flashes of power with 12 home runs, his overall offensive production remained limited.
Defensively, Lee has earned a reputation as a capable catcher, particularly in controlling the running game and handling pitching staffs. However, questions about his framing and offensive consistency have prevented him from locking down a long-term role.
Now, with younger options like Teel and Quero viewed as part of the team’s future, Lee has been squeezed out.
That doesn’t mean his MLB career is in jeopardy.
Catchers are always in demand across the league, and Lee’s defensive skills could make him an attractive target for teams in need of depth. If the White Sox move forward with a DFA, there’s a strong chance another club could claim him.
For Chicago, the next few days will be critical.
Whether they find a trade partner or risk exposing him to waivers, the White Sox must now navigate a tricky roster situation—one that highlights both the organization’s improved depth and the difficult decisions that come with it.
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