For the first time in years, catcher is shaping up as a position of real stability for the White Sox, with highly regarded prospects Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero sharing duties behind the plate.
However, MLB reporter Francys Romero reports that several teams have inquired about Quero, and the White Sox are believed to be placing a steep price tag on the young Cuban catcher.
When asked about the potential of trading a catcher this offseason during the GM meeting, Chris Getz pushed back on the idea.
“Is that time now? I don’t think so. I don’t,” Getz told SoxMachines James Fegan. “But down the road, you never know.”
While Teel was one of the best offensive catchers in baseball during the second half of the season, Quero has proven to be more than capable behind the plate.
The White Sox acquired Edgar Quero at the 2023 trade deadline in a deal that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López to the Angels. After fluctuating on and off MLB Pipeline’s top-100 list, Quero opened 2024 as a consensus top-100 talent.
He wasted no time proving that the ranking was deserved, making his big league debut on April 17, after a strong start in Triple-A
Across 111 games with the White Sox, the 22-year-old slashed .268/.333/.356 with five homers and 36 RBIs. What was most impressive was his knack for timely hits. He batted .284 in games within one run, .277 in late or close games and drove in 30 RBIs with runners in scoring position.
It took Quero until July to connect for his first big-league homer, but his ability to consistently drive the ball into the gaps stood out. His 17 doubles underscored that power potential, and his plate discipline was elite. Baseball Savant graded his chase rate in the 97th percentile, placing him among the best in baseball.
Defensively, Quero flashed one standout skill: his back-pick ability. He led MLB catchers with five pickoffs, showing advanced instincts and accuracy from behind the plate.
Overall, Quero finished his rookie campaign with 1.2 WAR. While advanced defensive metrics were lukewarm on his framing and receiving, those areas often take time for young catchers to refine. Pitch framing could also soon be an outdated skill with an automated strike zone on the horizon. Given his age, offensive maturity and defensive flashes, Quero’s debut season offered plenty of promise for the White Sox’s long-term plans behind the plate.
Even with Teel and Korey Lee in the mix, trading Quero now would be difficult to justify. Unless the White Sox are offered a package that clearly jump-starts their rebuild, moving a 22-year-old catcher with his upside seems unwise.
Based on Getz’s latest remarks, the White Sox appear poised to let both catchers develop for another season before deciding on the long-term direction at the position.
