TRADE: Tampa Bay Rays & Chicago White Sox Pull Off a Deal

The Chicago White Sox have sent veteran backstop Matt Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays for a minor league outfielder

We're still two months from the trade deadline, and the Chicago White Sox are expected to be among the busiest teams at that time, but that doesn't mean they can't swing a smaller deal now. On Tuesday, the Pale Hose sent veteran backstop Matt Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor leaguer Dru Baker.

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired C Matt Thaiss from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for OF Dru Baker. To make room on the 40-man roster, OF Jonny DeLuca (right shoulder strain) was transferred to the 60-day IL. The earliest he can be reinstated is June 6.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) May 27, 2025

Thaiss may be hitting just .212 this season, but he has a .382 on-base percentage, which is 9th in the American League, and leads all catchers. Overall, he has an OPS+ of 99, right about average among major league batters.

Behind the plate, Thaiss brings a cannon of an arm: he has thrown out 20% (5-of-25) of potential base stealers this season, which is 7th in the AL this season.

MATT THAISS WITH THE HAT TRICK! 😤 pic.twitter.com/9SxRo77jz2
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) May 11, 2025

Thaiss will replace Ben Rortvedt as the Rays' backup catcher. Rortvedt is slashing just .100/.194/.117 in 67 plate appearances.

In exchange, the ChiSox get Dru Baker, a 25-year-old minor league outfielder who, at Triple-A Durham this season, was slashing .245/.344/.302 in 17 games this season. He's a speed merchent, having stolen 42 bases last year at Double-A, and 49 the year before, split between High-A and AA.