The MLB trade deadline is approaching, and a slew of players will be on the move as they find new homes for the stretch run. While waiting to see who the Houston Astros could add to aid their quest for a division title is intriguing, so is seeing which former players could be filling out change of address forms.
One former Astros catcher is drawing some interest ahead of the deadline, and it’s a great situation. While he’s stuck with an American League bottomfeeder, he could become one of the deadline’s biggest winners if a trade to a National League contender comes to fruition.
Padres Reportedly Interested in Former Astros Catcher Korey Lee Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline
The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reported on Sunday that the San Diego Padres are interested in former Astros and current Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee ahead of the trade deadline. Lee noted that the Padres are in search of overall depth in advance of July 31, and the interest in Lee could help their troublesome catching situation, which has been led by Elias Diaz and fellow former Astro Martin Maldonado.
“Lee has drawn trade interest from the Padres in 2025,” Lin wrote. “The 26-year-old continues to be a glove-first catcher, but he has shown some utility with his bat, hitting 12 big-league home runs last season and recording a .780 on-base plus slugging percentage this season in Triple-A.”
Lee wouldn’t be a major splash as a player who has hit .192/.231/.315 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI in 175 career major league games. But the bar for an upgrade is low. Díaz is hitting .194/.265/.290 with four homers and 12 RBI in 76 games this season and is a minus-3 in defensive runs saved. Maldonado is already on the roster, but he’s hitting .178/.221/.295 with four homers, 10 RBI, and is even in defensive runs saved.
Luis Campusano is also an option after hitting .308/.427/.587 with 14 homers and 48 RBI at Triple-A El Paso. But the former top 100 prospect has yet to record a hit in his first 27 plate appearances and was a minus-17 in defensive runs saved last season.
With Kyle Teel arriving in Chicago following the trade that sent Garrett Crochet to Boston, Lee has become expendable. Getting traded to San Diego would be a great outcome as Lee would likely get playing time and join a team that is currently in the final wild card spot in the National League.
Time will tell if Lee will get that upgrade, but the Astros will be looking to make one of their own in the weeks leading up to the deadline.