Red Sox must reevaluate catching situation after recent departures

Connor Wong's breakout season was one of the best surprises of the Boston Red Sox's season. Boston also plans to debut its top catching prospect, Kyle Teel, in 2025, who also posted a stellar season in the minor leagues.

But the Sox lost quite a bit of catching depth recently. Trade deadline acquisition Danny Jansen is a free agent, Tyler Heineman, who spent most of his year in Triple-A, was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays, and Reese McGuire elected free agency on Sept. 30.

McGuire was Boston's backup catcher for the first half of the season, and his campaign started well. He batted .244/.333/.378 in April before he fell off. His big-league slash line came in at .209/.280/.295 over 53 games.

After McGuire's offense dwindled, the Red Sox were forced to play Wong more often, either behind the plate or out of the designated hitter slot. The excess of work caught up to him, and he finished the year batting .280/.333/.425 with a .758 OPS after batting well into the .300s for much of the first half. He played 126 games in 2023 and 2024 but struck out 20 fewer times in the latter season (114).

Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire elects free agency, Boston may need to add another backup backstop this winter

Jansen was always just a rental after the Sox designated McGuire for assignment on July 28 and Heineman was a desperation option. After their departures, the Red Sox only have Wong and Teel behind the plate, and Teel may not be big-league-ready right when the season begins.

Teel batted .298/.390/.462 in 84 games with Double-A Portland and his transition to Triple-A in August took a bit of adjustment. He slashed .255/.374/.343 in 28 games with the WooSox, and Boston may need to see more from him before he jumps to the big leagues.

If Teel isn't ready for the majors in March — even if he is — the Red Sox should explore more backup catching options this winter. James McCann and Yasmani Grandal are both impending free agents who can hit from the right-handed batter's box, a desperate need of Boston's for next season.

Red Sox Nation is clamoring for Teel and the rest of his top prospect class to make it to the big leagues next season, but Boston will need a safety net if he isn't ready or one of its other catchers gets hurt.

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