1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

1) Why can’t it be that some posters simply disagree with you?
2) Also, I’m not sure how one can truly be positive or negative over a Spanky McGuire signing.
3) The Cubs signed this guy to a minor league deal in January 2025.
4) He doesn’t really move the needle either way over Lee, IMO. And that’s the point some posters are trying to make.

1) and a bunch did. That's the cross-section in b). Some said that McKinven knows what he's doing, others were that this is stupid. Others are "meh". All good. You're even in b. No beef.
2) I actually would rather they kept Lee, but this is fine. The staff seems to feel McGuire's moderately better, that works for me.
3) Okay, now I'm anti. Don't know what the market was, maybe taking McGuire off the market hikes Lee's demand slightly.
4) And I'm fine with that point. I'm pushing back against saying I'm seriously misguided, or part of the front office because my sunny side's always up.

38 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

It's like they signed him to the prorated equivalent of a $7-7.5 million dollar deal if he's gone in one month...in terms of value.

And if he trips on the top step during opening day introductions and he doesn't catch a pitch all year, that scales up to infinity. No team should pay a player more than all wealth that has ever existed in the entire history of homo sapiens.

36 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Even mlbtraderumors can't make sense of it.

"Lee is out of minor league options and sending either Teel or Quero down to Triple-A doesn’t seem to be in Chicago’s long-term interest (unless either is really struggling), so it creates an interesting question as to what will happen when Teel is healthy and the Sox are juggling four backstops.

For now, McGuire will suit up for his former team and look to provide his usual solid glovework.  A top prospect back during his time in the Pirates’ farm system, McGuire has settled into a journeyman/backup type of career, playing for six different organizations during his career.  McGuire has hit .248/.293/.374 with 25 homers over 1178 career plate appearances, with nine of those home runs coming last year with the Cubs (as part of a .226/.245/.444 slash line in 140 PA)."

Nobody seems to have told Mark Polish-UK that Lee won't be making the White Sox opening day roster.

Reese Mcguire Rumors - MLB Trade Rumors

I do t think it’s any more complicated than our pitchers don’t like pitching to him.

And maybe I missed something, but nobody was holding a spot for Romo. He was DFA’d like two months ago.

I HOPE the pitching staff has made it clear Lee is bad behind the plate and they don’t want to pitch to him. No idea if that’s true, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.

Can’t imagine Lee has any real value in a trade. Could a Sosa + Lee trade package possibly get us a somewhat intriguing pitching prospect??…probably grasping at straws

I thought Lee showed promise.

On 3/23/2026 at 12:40 PM, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

This is a signing to maximize the margins (if you trust their evaluation skills, which I don't!) for a team that is competing. What a waste of 1.2 million for a team where every single dollar appears to be cherished.

Everybody would be aghast if the argument against Trajekt machines was that "we don't need them until we plan to compete". Conversely, Venable's a component of this team that also needs to develop his game management skills, even in a non-competitive season. By giving him, Bove and the pitchers a better tool in a more experienced catcher, you're also helping in the development of your pitching staff, and your two young catchers.

1 minute ago, WestEddy said:

Everybody would be aghast if the argument against Trajekt machines was that "we don't need them until we plan to compete". Conversely, Venable's a component of this team that also needs to develop his game management skills, even in a non-competitive season. By giving him, Bove and the pitchers a better tool in a more experienced catcher, you're also helping in the development of your pitching staff, and your two young catchers.

And a clown in LF that contradicts all of that.

3 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

And a clown in LF that contradicts all of that.

I hope you find the commenter who made that argument and you get to make a real mean face at him.

1 hour ago, WestEddy said:

Everybody would be aghast if the argument against Trajekt machines was that "we don't need them until we plan to compete". Conversely, Venable's a component of this team that also needs to develop his game management skills, even in a non-competitive season. By giving him, Bove and the pitchers a better tool in a more experienced catcher, you're also helping in the development of your pitching staff, and your two young catchers.

One of those investments is a foundational investment in the advancement and development of all players in your organization for years to come... the other investment is in Reese McGuire. I don't think they are all that similar!

I'm also incredibly skeptical of this portrayal of Reese McGuire, great manager of pitchers. In my experience, back-up catchers that are elite defensively and GREAT at managing a staff don't play for four teams in four years getting signed for just above league minimum at start of the season. I'd guess he's pretty mediocre there, but maybe Korey Lee was terrible... not that I'm one to give this crew the benefit of the doubt.

28 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

One of those investments is a foundational investment in the advancement and development of all players in your organization for years to come... the other investment is in Reese McGuire. I don't think they are all that similar!

I'm also incredibly skeptical of this portrayal of Reese McGuire, great manager of pitchers. In my experience, back-up catchers that are elite defensively and GREAT at managing a staff don't play for four teams in four years getting signed for just above league minimum at start of the season. I'd guess he's pretty mediocre there, but maybe Korey Lee was terrible... not that I'm one to give this crew the benefit of the doubt.

Reese has been handed around more often than a [insert meme here]. If he was half as important as he was being played up, he wouldn't be fighting for a near minimum wage contract. Even mediocre catching has a price.

8 hours ago, Tomas said:

I thought Lee showed promise.

He has some tools but his hit tool is like 30/35 and that just won't ever play even as a catcher. xwOBA of .257 for his career. He's a mediocre defensive catcher and he'd have to be Pudge back there (the 2nd one) to even hang on as a useful backup.

Edited Tuesday at 09:51 PM5 days by chitownsportsfan

20 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Reese has been handed around more often than a [insert meme here]. If he was half as important as he was being played up, he wouldn't be fighting for a near minimum wage contract. Even mediocre catching has a price.

It is funny how McGuire is entirely overpaid, and it's the dumbest waste of money evah, but when having to diminish him, he's "fighting for a near minimum wage contract".

And looking at his B-R page, McGuire really hasn't been around all that much for a 31-year-old backup. He's been with two separate teams for years-long runs, which, as RayRay tells us, is the sign of an elite backup catcher.

51 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

One of those investments is a foundational investment in the advancement and development of all players in your organization for years to come... the other investment is in Reese McGuire. I don't think they are all that similar!

I'm also incredibly skeptical of this portrayal of Reese McGuire, great manager of pitchers. In my experience, back-up catchers that are elite defensively and GREAT at managing a staff don't play for four teams in four years getting signed for just above league minimum at start of the season. I'd guess he's pretty mediocre there, but maybe Korey Lee was terrible... not that I'm one to give this crew the benefit of the doubt.

That's short-sighted and argumentative. The Sox coaching staff think McGuire's better and they don't want Lee catching for them, regardless of what anybody who isn't a major league manager thinks. That's great that you're skeptical. Your evidence is...?

Nobody's calling McGuire elite. Backup catchers are fungible. They move around. In my experience, catchers who are elite, defensively, are great at managing a staff and produce offensively are starting catchers. McGuire doesn't have to be elite. However, McGuire has been on two separate teams for years-long runs which kind of tells a story of teams who like his tools and keep him rostered instead of kicking him out as soon as any other option comes along. Seby Zavala, he is not.

Being skeptical tells me you think that Korey Lee could clearly be a better catcher than one who has been pursued by 4 teams in the last 3 years. I'm skeptical of that. My evidence is that people who have jobs in the industry have expressed a preference for McGuire.

Edited Tuesday at 10:15 PM5 days by WestEddy

2 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

It is funny how McGuire is entirely overpaid, and it's the dumbest waste of money evah, but when having to diminish him, he's "fighting for a near minimum wage contract".

That's short-sighted and argumentative. The Sox coaching staff think McGuire's better and they don't want Lee catching for them, regardless of what anybody who isn't a major league manager thinks. That's great that you're skeptical. Your evidence is...?

Nobody's calling McGuire elite. Backup catchers are fungible. They move around. In my experience, catchers who are elite, defensively, are great at managing a staff and produce offensively are starting catchers. McGuire doesn't have to be elite. Being skeptical tells me you think that Korey Lee could clearly be a better catcher than one who has been pursued by 4 teams in the last 3 years. I'm skeptical of that. My evidence is that people who have jobs in the industry have expressed a preference for McGuire.

Umm, I think you are making everyone else's talking points here. Thanks. He's making entirely what he is worth, near minimum wage. I do think it is ironic that one minute you are preaching about budgets and projecting out what other people say, and then full embrace it about two seconds later.

The point repeatedly made was if the Sox had a spare million (unlike you claimed recently), Andrew Benintendi getting his walking papers would be WAAAAAAAAAAY more productive for the Sox than a part time catcher for a few weeks. But when it was suggested previously, it was all about the budget. Now that apparently that money wasn't the actual problem, on to the next thing. Reese being turned into this incredibly obvious move that was so important to make it belied by his having a $1.25 million contract as a major leaguer. That's a replacement level contract.

This knowledge was in every scouting report on Lee at the time of his acquisition from HOU.

“Lee didn't become a full-time catcher until 2019 and has yet to start more than 73 games behind the plate in a pro season. While he's quicker and more athletic than most backstops and features plus-plus arm strength, his receiving and blocking skills draw mixed reviews. He has done a better job in 2023 and the consensus is that he's an average defender.”

lol @ Reddit

“Space Cowboys fan - Ceiling would be higher than Wilson Contreras, but Lee is a pure upside prospect. His plate discipline is atrocious right now and he’ll never be anything if he can’t get that fixed.”

Statcast defensive numbers were all negative.

Edited Wednesday at 04:57 AM5 days by caulfield12

15 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

One of those investments is a foundational investment in the advancement and development of all players in your organization for years to come... the other investment is in Reese McGuire. I don't think they are all that similar!

I'm also incredibly skeptical of this portrayal of Reese McGuire, great manager of pitchers. In my experience, back-up catchers that are elite defensively and GREAT at managing a staff don't play for four teams in four years getting signed for just above league minimum at start of the season. I'd guess he's pretty mediocre there, but maybe Korey Lee was terrible... not that I'm one to give this crew the benefit of the doubt.

McKinven is in charge of the big league catchers this year, so my assumption is he had a significant say in the move. I think he’s someone who has earned the benefit of the doubt.

On 3/23/2026 at 11:39 AM, caulfield12 said:

In what world is McGuire worth more to a future Sox championship?

If they just end up DFAing Lee with nothing in return...this move is just pointless.

Since when does every single move have to do with some future Sox championship? You do realize how rarely that happens. Lee was out of options.

With the Teel and Baldwin injuries making the Sox a little too right handed they were basically showcasing Lee in ST to try to move him even before those injuries. Why else would he be stealing bases almost every chance he got and Drew Romo not getting any playing time ?

Wins or wins on the margins especially getting off to a good start apparently means something to them. McGuire brings some LH pop lost by the Teel and Baldwin injuries and Quero's right side strong bat.

Even though reports on Teel's progress are good he is too important to the organization to rush back. Quero is also still a work in progress defensively ( as is Teel).

Lee apparently didn't have that veteran catcher appeal that a lot of organizations cherish ,especially with young pitchers.

I have no idea on how likely a Lee trade is. My guess is slim although others have mentioned cash considerations.

I also dont know what happens with McGuire once Quero returns.3 catcher rostered ? Late inning defense and LH PH DH occasional starter ?

Does Benintendi sit and not play more than we think or do they try to keep his bat in the lineup because of the LH bats injuries ?

Looks like decisions are coming down to the wire on the 26 man roster. Pereira a lock ? Peters (LH) or Hill (RH) ? Last minute trade involving more than just cash coming back ?

Maybe having McGuire around has a little something to do with helping guys like Grant Taylor as much as his LH bat. Call it vet catcher mojo.

Edited Wednesday at 02:29 PM4 days by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

On 3/23/2026 at 9:07 AM, Squirmin' for Yermin said:

If you have a trade for Lee (or Quero), this makes sense. If you do not, then this just seems like a waste of 1 million as Teel is likely expected back in 1 month

Its not a waste of $1.2M .You're replacing Lee's salary with McGuire's which might be a difference of $400K or less if they get cash for Lee. I don't think the Sox want him back , but we'll see.

Edited Wednesday at 02:41 PM4 days by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

7 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

It’s not a waste of $1.2M .You're replacing Lee's salary with McGuire's which might be a difference of $400K or less if they get cash for Lee. I don't think the Sox want him back , but we'll see.

Romo playing in 6-10 games would cost them how many wins?

1/2 a game of fWAR at most?

just not sure it’s worth a premium…as well as dumping a much younger guy with two vital carrying tools.

24 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Romo playing in 6-10 games would cost them how many wins?

1/2 a game of fWAR at most?

just not sure it’s worth a premium…as well as dumping a much younger guy with two vital carrying tools.

Is Korey Lee the backup catcher on their next World Series Championship team? If not, why not just DFA him? Do you foresee a White Sox closing pitcher jumping into Romo's arms after the last out of a game 7 World Series victory?

39 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Its not a waste of $1.2M .You're replacing Lee's salary with McGuire's which might be a difference of $400K or less if they get cash for Lee. I don't think the Sox want him back , but we'll see.

They should have just signed McGuire for 3/$110M, and the entire board would be ecstatic, high fiving each other over clearing that salary threshold.

On 3/23/2026 at 1:24 PM, WestEddy said:

Is this an actual situation you're referring to, or are you rehashing a weeks old argument with somebody on this board? Did Getz give a teary-eyed interview where he said they can't cut Benintendi because they can't afford a replacement, or did somebody here just toss that out in a back and forth?

You seem to take some off-hand excuse from one of the commenters, then automatically assign it to the Front Office as their creed.

Youre absolutely right. I actually think he's referring to something I said about Benintendi not being considered a sunk cost if the slightest possibility exists to recoup a few million or an asset in a trade.

That could be a JR thing or a Getz thing or both considering JR cries poor and it shows up in the player payroll .Getz also might believe its possible to eventually get something back in a trade no matter how unlikely it seems.

Odds are Beni is still a better hitter than Pereira, Peters, Hill, Kalenic or even Baldwin will ever be. Its a tough situation .

The haters want veterans with bloated contracts gone, they want good defense, they want wins, they dont like hearing its a rebuild , they don't want prospects brought up too early but they say play the kids. It's a very enviable position to be in when you can talk out of both sides of your mouth and no matter the result they still get to cry about it and talk about the usual suspects sticking up for a guy (Getz) who is not in a very enviable position. It's so easy to be an armchair GM where no one holds you accountable for the ridiculous things you say.

4 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Youre absolutely right. I actually think he's referring to something I said about Benintendi not being considered a sunk cost if the slightest possibility exists to recoup a few million or an asset in a trade.

That could be a JR thing or a Getz thing or both considering JR cries poor and it shows up in the player payroll .Getz also might believe its possible to eventually get something back in a trade no matter how unlikely it seems.

Odds are Beni is still a better hitter than Pereira, Peters, Hill, Kalenic or even Baldwin will ever be. Its a tough situation .

The haters want veterans with bloated contracts gone, they want good defense, they want wins, they dont like hearing its a rebuild , they don't want prospects brought up too early but they say play the kids. It's a very enviable position to be in when you can talk out of both sides of your mouth and no matter the result they still get to cry about it and talk about the usual suspects sticking up for a guy (Getz) who is not in a very enviable position. It's so easy to be an armchair GM where no one holds you accountable for the ridiculous things you say.

He also claimed I said that. One bottle of wine and 38 pages of my posts read, going back into January, I didn't see anywhere that I said that.

33 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Romo playing in 6-10 games would cost them how many wins?

1/2 a game of fWAR at most?

just not sure it’s worth a premium…as well as dumping a much younger guy with two vital carrying tools.

Oh so Drew Romo is now a thing and Korey Lee is invaluable ? Backup catchers 2 most valuable tools are being good defensively which includes knowing the right pitches to call and being a sagely presence to young pitchers. Romo and Lee are none of those things. Didnt you learn anything from Bull Durham 🤣 ?

1 minute ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Oh so Drew Romo is now a thing and Korey Lee is invaluable ? Backup catchers 2 most valuable tools are being good defensively which includes knowing the right pitches to call and being a sagely presence to young pitchers. Romo and Lee are none of those things. Didnt you learn anything from Bull Durham 🤣 ?

Every team makes the announcement, "With the signing of [insert backup catcher here], I believe we have our World Series Championship backup catcher! Talk to me at the parade!!!" I don't know why the White Sox can't do that.