Unconcerned by rumors, Teel secure in future with Sox 

CHICAGO -- There are no untouchables on the White Sox when it comes to trades.

Nor should there be. It’s a familiar refrain at this stage of the rebuild.

But catcher Kyle Teel falls pretty darn close to that untouchable category. So, when teams asked about Teel this offseason, Chris Getz listened, as any good general manager would, but he also knew Teel wasn’t going anywhere.

Teel, meanwhile, continued his offseason work in New Jersey, preparing for his first full Major League season after a stellar rookie campaign in 2025. He was intrigued when he heard the Red Sox exploring his trade potential during the Winter Meetings. Boston sent the highly touted prospect to the White Sox as part of the four-player return for Garrett Crochet at the close of the ’24 Winter Meetings.

“I found out about it just because all my friends and family were texting me all the stuff that was going on,” Teel said. “It was interesting to see.

“This is a funny game, and when I was with the Red Sox, I never expected to be traded. I understand anything can happen, but once I saw the whole [social media] thing with Chris Getz [dispelling the most recent rumors], I knew it wasn’t going to happen.”

The White Sox have a wealth of catching depth in Teel, Edgar Quero and Korey Lee, something Getz is hesitant to disrupt.

The switch-hitting Quero has also been mentioned in offseason trade inquiries, while Lee offers the option of the White Sox keeping three catchers as they did at the end of the 2025 regular season. In that scenario, manager Will Venable could play Teel or Quero behind the plate, use the other player as designated hitter and still be covered by a third catcher.

None of the three is presently working at other positions, according to Venable.

“We'll find spots, knowing that Kyle and Edgar are probably going to get the bulk of the at-bats there and being creative,” Venable said. “There's a DH spot, and the position is so demanding.

“You're not going to have Kyle Teel catching 140 games. So, there's still going to be plenty of opportunity. And once we get to the finish line, the offseason, Spring Training, we'll be able to better answer how it's all going to fit together.”

Teel feels that three catchers on the roster is beneficial for everyone in the mix.

“Edgar Quero can really back-pick; unbelievably so,” Teel said. “In talking to him about how he does that -- I’m a college guy, so in pro ball, the coaches don’t set up the back-picks, the players do. In college, it’s more of a call from the coach.

“Just understanding how to set it up myself and asking him questions like that is going to be important for the next year. Talking about preparation and routine and game-calling is where I leaned on Korey. We work together really well, and we all have our own individual strengths.”

Through 78 games and 297 plate appearances in 2025, the 23-year-old Teel slashed .273/.375/.411 with eight home runs, 11 doubles, 35 RBIs and 38 runs scored. He’s been described as a unique talent by Getz and Venable, and he has quickly become one of the organization's cornerstones.

“His athleticism behind the plate and running the bases from a catching position is a rarity,” Getz said. “Left-handed bat, got some power, great energy he brings to the game.”

Teel found an important daily routine to stay healthy and manage a long rookie season. He learned how to use TruMedia, the club's platform for analyzing and attacking opposing hitters, and put his spin on what he picked up from coaches in regard to game-calling.

Teel is only going to get better with experience. That improvement will come with the White Sox.

“Overall, I understand the business of this game. I didn’t really put too much thought into [the trade rumors],” Teel said. “I would just say focusing on myself, working out every day, and training every day was really where my head was.

“Having multiple Spring Trainings under my belt now, and multiple pro seasons under my belt, I have a good understanding of what I need to be successful. I just want to be the best player that I can, and be the best person that I can be every single day for my teammates and for the fans.”