The Chicago White Sox made a surprising late roster move over the weekend, ditching Korey Lee in favor of Reese McGuire just days before Opening Day.
McGuire agreed to a $1.2 million deal with the White Sox after opting out of his minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, triggering a 72-hour window to sign elsewhere. He didn’t have to wait long. By Sunday night, he was already suiting up for the White Sox in a Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners.
As a result, Lee was informed that he would not be making the Opening Day roster. Adding insult to injury, McGuire delivered a two-run homer and a double off the bench in Chicago’s 4-2 loss to Seattle.
It’s a tough break for Lee, who fell victim to a calculated roster move. While McGuire isn’t a huge upgrade, he offers a left-handed bat, a slightly stronger offensive track record, and greater trade flexibility.
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Catching depth was considered a strength for the White Sox entering the season, with Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero expected to split time behind the plate. But when Teel suffered a hamstring injury during the World Baseball Classic, it created an opening for Lee, who has shown he’s more than a capable backstop.
Lee has appeared in 186 games for the White Sox over the past four seasons but has struggled to secure consistent playing time. After a career-high 125 games in 2024, a season in which he was praised for being a strong clubhouse presence during a difficult 121-loss campaign, the White Sox added Matt Thaiss, further crowding the depth chart.
Even after Thaiss was traded, Lee found himself blocked again following the call-ups of Quero and Teel.
Lee boasts one of the best pop times in baseball and hit a career-high 12 home runs in 2024. This spring, he also flashed some sneaky athleticism, swiping four bases during Cactus League play. Beyond the numbers, he’s earned praise from coaches for his clubhouse leadership and his work with both Teel and Quero.
But Lee is out of minor league options, and the White Sox were unlikely to carry three catchers, leaving him on borrowed time until Teel returned. Because of that, the club believes bringing Reese McGuire back into the fold is the better short-term fit.
Manager Will Venable told MLB.com that with Quero stepping into the primary catching role to open the season, McGuire offers a more natural complement. Teel does most of his damage from the right side, while McGuire provides a left-handed bat—something Lee, also a right-handed hitter, does not.
McGuire also offers a slightly higher offensive floor, even if the overall numbers don’t jump off the page. In 45 games with the Cubs last season, he slashed .260/.245/.444, showing some pop with nine home runs and 24 RBIs, compared to Lee, who owns a career .193/.234/.321 slash line with 14 homers, 47 RBIs
McGuire is no stranger to the South Side, either, hitting .225/.261/.285 with nine doubles and 10 RBIs with the White Sox in 2022. While much of the roster has turned over since then, that prior experience still provides some added comfort and familiarity.
The 31-year-old catcher knows how to handle a pitching staff and is also a steady glove behind the plate. Last season, McGuire was one of the best pitch framers in baseball and ranked in the top half of the MLB with a 1.93-second pop time.
Once Teel returns healthy, the White Sox likely view McGuire as the more movable piece. With many teams lacking catching depth, Chicago could potentially get a return for Lee before designating him for assignment, and eventually for McGuire as well. Since Lee wasn’t expected to be part of the team’s long-term plans, bringing McGuire back signals the White Sox are looking to gain an edge wherever they can.
