What’s With This Kyle Teel & Edgar Quero Situation?
The bubbling and gurgling of the MLB off-season is upon us and at the heart of it for the White Sox are two catchers that they have recently acquired in trade. Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. Trade rumors abound for both, so a long-time follower tweeted (X’d) at us to lay this thing outchea. And I find myself obligated to do so.
Let’s take these items one by one and see where it goes….
Trade Quero for a Haul
What’s the plan for backup C? We good with Lee?
I would hazard a guess that if we are being perfectly honest, the optimal situation for the White Sox would be a suitor that loves all that Edgar Quero does and would offer them a similarly aged, pedigree and performing position player at a post of need. A Third baseman, A First Baseman, A Center Fielder all would fit nicely. Chorizy-E and I tried to make Quero trades in our TRADE WITH EVERY TEAM BLOGS, mine and his, those trades aren’t what I think they are looking for at this juncture. I would think a straight up trade for Justin Crawford or Carson Williams would be the type of deal that the White Sox would jump at, but alas, projecting it, Chorizy-E and I just could not see it.
If they did trade Quero it would hypothetically speed along the “rebuild” because the utility of a player at a position without a good player is higher than one that is, but I think we talking about incremental movements and this thing is hardly a baked cake at this point.
What’s the plan for backup? In this scenario, it could very well be Korey Lee who is a totally fine backup catcher at this point in his career. Although I have heard whispers that the Sox aren’t enamored with certain parts of his game. Truthfully, as “scarce” as catchers are these days, it’s really only Catcher #1 that is scarce. There are plenty of defensive-only crusty veterans hanging around that could fit the bill even if you traded Lee as well. It’s probably not a major issue for this team, at this point.
Trade Teel for a HAUL?
Depending on the return which I would assume would be close to major league ready, but to trade a guy for a guy you got for a guy?
Kyle Teel would quite clearly fetch a haul in trade. Not only was he a consensus top 40 prospect, he showed up in the majors and was every bit the part. I doubt he’s truly “available” per se, although I disagree with some of my frents in WST that Getz should hang up the phone on anyone asking. I think there is plenty reason to listen, in fact, a very specific reason, which I will get to later. It would be weird to trade him roughly a year after trading for him.
Also, the fact that he was basically the biggest piece in the trade for your best player when you already had a catcher in tow leads me to believe that they saw him as Catcher #1. And after a brief audition I think you and I see him as Catcher #1. I’d go as far as to say he’s the best player on the baby White Sox (and over 1,000 GTLF at Timothy O’Toole’s a few weeks back, my guy WhiteSoxDave agreed), but that’s an argument for another day.
Keep both and see how we start.
Trade deadline options if Sox aren’t winning and it’s a good deal. If we’re winning and they’re rocking just keep rolling.
I think keeping both (Teel and Quero, which sounds like a buddy cop sitcom) IS the plan for now. I’d be pretty surprised if they moved on from either in 2026. My gut feeling is that they are still in accumulating talent mode and they don’t have a good feel for what this team is going to look like on the other side (2027 and beyond). I also think that both have untapped upside that when hit will enhance the return for either, and that’s incentive enough to keep them together and let them get in where they fit in (Teel as Catcher 1a and Quero as Catcher 1b). I know the concerns will be abound with regards to playing time, but more and more, most teams are aggressively deploying two catchers.
Of the top 24 catchers in fWAR (min 300 PA) only 4 caught as many a 120 games in 2025. That means that a majority of catchers are not squatting behind the plate twice per week. Plenty of playing time for both catchers to continue to refine their skills behind the plate.
Anything Else?
Yes, Korey Lee is the Elephant in the Room! He’s on the White Sox 40 man roster, he’s the 3rd catcher and he’s out of options. I’d think the most likely result is that some team comes and trades for Lee. Now earlier in this blog (I don’t write articles, I write blogs) I suggest that the Getz Front Office should definitely listen on Teel (and Quero). The reason is……ANCHORING!
Let’s talk about the high priced Teel and the high priced Quero before we get to talking about the Korey Lee we got on the show room floor. And you are probably thinking, Beef, these are smart analytical teams that would never allow their models to be defeated by psychological tricks. You are probably right, but there is absolutely no reason not to try.
-BeefLoaf
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beefloaf108
Low information White Sox Fan. Big Feet Energy ORIGINAL 108er Like Whore 2019 Opening Day #SoxMath WINNAR Mediocrity Personified