On Saturday, the White Sox added veteran Max Stassi to their group of catchers in exchange for financial considerations and a player to be named later from the Braves.
The Braves will pay the majority of 32-year-old Stassi’s contract, which is $7 million for the upcoming season. With a $500,000 buyout, Stassi’s $7.5 million club option expires in 25.
Stassi, a right-handed hitter who stands five feet ten inches and weighs two hundred pounds, with a slash line of.212/.295/.361 in 403 games over ten Major League seasons with the Houston Astros (2013–19) and the Angels (2019–22). He has also scored 136 runs and collected 128 RBIs. Over his final three seasons with the Angels (2020–22), he combined to record 29 home runs and 85 RBIs in 220 games.
Due to stays on the injured list for a left hip injury and the restricted list because of a family medical condition, he was sidelined for the whole 2023 season. First baseman Evan White and left-handed pitcher Tyler Thomas were sent by the Angels to the Braves on Friday along with infielder David Fletcher for Stassi.
FanGraphs.com reports that Stassi’s 38.1 framing rate from 2018–22 was the second-best in MLB by a catcher, only surpassed by Austin Hedges’ 43.5. His 55.4 defensive rating placed him fifth, while his 24 defensive runs saved tied him for sixth place.
With this trade, there are 40 players on the White Sox roster. The team’s catching depth chart now includes Stassi, Korey Lee, and Carlos Pérez. Edgar Quero, a switch-hitter and the No. 3 White Sox prospect and No. 81 overall according to MLB Pipeline, is slated to begin the 2024 season in Triple-A Charlotte. General manager Chris Getz’s improved defense strategy is strengthened with the addition of Stassi, particularly up the middle.
Prior to the 2023 Trade Deadline, the Astros traded for Lee, 25, in a trade. He appeared in 24 White Sox games and did a good job behind the plate, but his offensive total was just 5-for-65.