Red Sox Newcomer Prepared To Fulfill Underrated Need

BOSTON — The Red Sox made some pretty substantial moves this offseason, but don’t sleep on their movement on the margins.

Carlos Narváez could be a contributor in 2025.

No, there aren’t any major expectations on the recently acquired catcher just yet, but there’s a spot to be carved out. Connor Wong is the only other catcher currently on the active roster, which should give the 26-year-old a chance to carve out a roster spot down in Fort Myers, Fla.

“(He’s a) physical, strong kid, good athlete, good framer,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Saturday. “I talked to (Yankees manager Aaron Boone) about him. He really likes him as a person. He did an outstanding job offensively in Venezuela. It will be good for him to get at-bats (in spring training) and let’s see.”

The Red Sox acquired the backstop in a trade with the New York Yankees back in December. Narváez was playing in a winter ball league at the time but quickly returned stateside to join his new team at Red Sox Rookie Development Camp, which took place this week in Boston.

“It’s really valuable for him to be exposed to our major league coaches for a little bit, getting a feel for the clubhouse,” Red Sox senior director of player development Brian Abraham said on Tuesday. “… He’s competing for a spot, definitely. I think he knows there’s a ways to go for him to improve, but we’re giving him that chance to see who we are, and what we’re all about as an organization. It’s really valuable for him to see.”

Narváez slashed .254/.370.412 with 11 home runs, 20 doubles, 58 RBIs, 54 runs, 56 walks and 105 strikeouts in 96 games (403 plate appearances) for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2024. The Red Sox aren’t leaning on him for his bat, however.

“I’m always super focused on defense,” Narváez said on Tuesday. “It’s the most important thing, to serve my pitcher — to be there for them. I want to get them calls, whoever is on the mound, I want to get the best from him… It’s the first thing we focus on when we train, is receiving those pitches and framing those pitches.”

Narváez is a gifted framer, having thrown out 30% of base stealers in his eight-year minor league career. Boston will hope he can bring that defensive excellence to a new organization while helping out a few pitchers he’s already familiar with as well as the several newcomers who were added alongside him this offseason.

“I already know a couple of guys,” Narváez said. “(Garrett) Whitlock, we played together a long, long time ago. (Richard) Fitts, too. I’ll be in Fort Myers early next week, just to be ready to meet everybody. I’m there for them. I’m super pumped to get started… Boston, we’ve got some big chances here. It’s a special thing, they have a great team, so it’s such a blessing to be a part of it.”