Athletics catcher Jonah Heim could give the Chicago White Sox a reliable backup behind Kyle Teel and a valuable switch-hitting option off the bench.
If the Chicago White Sox could make only one addition at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, it would likely come on the pitching staff.
We know that pitching remains the team's top priority, and there have already been plenty of rumors about which arms the White Sox are interested in. But that doesn't mean it's the only need on the board.
A right-handed-hitting outfielder would also give this White Sox team a boost. Fortunately for them, Austin Hays and Everson Pereira are both on rehab assignments in Triple-A Charlotte, so there should be internal reinforcements coming soon.
But what about another catcher? Drew Romo is approaching the point of being unplayable. Since the beginning of June, he is 3-for-46 at the plate. That's a .065 batting average and a .207 OPS. Romo hasn't been particularly strong defensively, either. His arm is solid, but defensive metrics show that Romo is a below-average pitch blocker. And out of 99 MLB catchers, he ranks 81st in the ABS challenge system.
Kyle Teel hasn't been all that great since returning from the IL, either. Teel's defense has been tough to watch at times. And over 18 games and 62 at-bats, he's hitting just .194 with a .598 OPS. I have a lot more faith in Teel to pick things up and start producing offensively. But even if he does, the White Sox could still stand to upgrade the catcher position. Bringing in a better backup would give them more depth on the bench when Teel needs a day off, as well as a viable pinch-hit option late in games.
It's not being discussed much, but I believe the White Sox should target Athletics catcher Jonah Heim at the upcoming MLB trade deadline.
Heim is a 31-year-old switch-hitting catcher who is closing in on free agency this winter. He signed with the Atlanta Braves last offseason before being designated for assignment and traded to the Athletics for cash in early May. In 53 games between the two teams this year, Heim has nine home runs with a .725 OPS. His strikeout rate is strong for a catcher, he's an above-average pitch blocker, and he's also performed well with the ABS challenge system, ranking 23rd out of 99 catchers.
The Athletics simply haven't played good baseball recently. They're 1-9 over their last 10 games, sitting with a 42-57 record entering play on Monday. Even in a weak American League, they're 8.5 games out of a playoff spot and slowly closing in on having one of the worst records in baseball. It's a fun young offense, but a talented veteran backup catcher isn't doing the Athletics much good for the rest of this year.
Shea Langeliers was an AL All-Star and currently has 22 home runs with an .821 OPS. He'll be getting the majority of the at-bats moving forward anyway. Heim is someone they can afford to move, especially with him being on an expiring deal.
From Chicago's perspective, Heim's expiring contract should lower the price enough to make him affordable. Catcher might not be a position in which the White Sox want to invest long term. Unlike with a starting pitcher, they don't need an acquired catcher to come with additional years of control. But on a temporary basis, as Chicago races toward the playoffs in 2026, Heim would make the White Sox a deeper and better team. It's certainly a trade idea worth exploring.
