Padres Eyeing White Sox Catcher Korey Lee as Trade Deadline Approaches
As the All-Star break passes, the San Diego Padres’ catching situation remains a major concern. Padres catchers have posted a combined -1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Baseball Reference, ranking last in MLB. FanGraphs’ WAR, which factors in a catcher’s defensive performance more heavily, also ranks the Padres’ backstops at 29th overall.
Given the struggles at the position, it wouldn’t take much for general manager A.J. Preller to find an upgrade over the current duo of Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado. With the July 31 trade deadline nearing, it would be surprising if Preller didn’t pursue an external option to bolster the Padres’ catching depth.
In light of this, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported Monday that the Padres have shown interest in White Sox catcher Korey Lee.
Lee is primarily known for his defense behind the plate, but he has also demonstrated some offensive potential, hitting 12 home runs in the majors last season and posting a .780 OPS in Triple-A this year. Though not a star, Lee could be a solid fit for the Padres, who have struggled with their catching rotation since moving from Luis Campusano and Kyle Higashioka last year to the current combination of Maldonado and Diaz.
The White Sox, meanwhile, have shifted their focus to youth, with rookies Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero now handling the catching duties, which has left Lee buried on their depth chart.
A former first-round draft pick (32nd overall) by the Houston Astros in 2019, Lee has only played 14 games in the majors this season after a rough 2023 campaign in which he hit .210/.244/.347 in 125 games. While his numbers may not make him an ideal candidate for a starting role on a championship-contending team in 2025, at 26 years old and with just one year of service time, Lee could thrive in a change of scenery, potentially improving as part of the Padres’ catching rotation.
Lee has appeared in 175 major league games across stints with the Astros (2022) and White Sox (2023-25). The White Sox acquired him from Houston in exchange for Kendall Graveman in July 2023. Baseball America had ranked Lee as the 70th-best prospect in its pre-2022 Top 100, making him a highly sought-after trade asset at the time.
This season, Lee has posted a .262/.342/.438 line in Triple-A Charlotte, with a significantly improved strikeout rate (29 strikeouts in 146 plate appearances) compared to previous years.
As the trade deadline looms, it’s possible that Preller and White Sox GM Chris Getz could strike a deal. If so, Lee could provide the Padres with a modest but valuable upgrade at a critical position, likely without costing them significant prospects or financial resources.
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