Red Sox could turn to recently DFA'd family connection to help bolster catching depth

Since Connor Wong's injury, the Boston Red Sox have been searching for effective replacements behind the plate.

Carlos Narváez has taken over the starting job after beating out Blake Sabol in spring training. The latter has since been called up to be the backup, but beyond that, their depth is relatively poor.

However, an option that could fix this problem recently emerged. Omar Narváez, Carlos' older cousin, was designated for assignment by the White Sox, and he elected free agency after clearing waivers. Narváez was never going to stay long in Chicago, as they already had young backstop Matt Thaiss and were awaiting the arrival of prospect Edgar Quero. Narváez only had 10 plate appearances with the White Sox, going 2-7 with two walks and a sacrifice fly.

Narváez has had moderate success at the big league level. In 2019, he had his best offensive season while playing for the Mariners, hitting over 20 homers and posting an .813 OPS. He improved his defense markedly while with the Brewers from 2020 to 2022, becoming one of the best framers in MLB. He was even selected to an All-Star team in 2021.

Red Sox could turn to free agent Omar Narváez, Carlos Narváez's cousin, for veteran backup catching depth

However, since that 2021 season, Narváez has struggled both at the plate and defensively. His OPS since 2022 is just .564, and he appeared in only 28 games last year as Francisco Alvarez took over the catching duties for the Mets. Now 33, it's unlikely that he experiences a major resurgence.

Still, it's not like the Red Sox have many better options. Carlos Nárvaez is still very inexperienced and hasn't hit well in the plate appearances he has gotten. Sabol played just 11 games last year and hasn't looked good so far in Boston. Wong will of course be the starter once he returns, but in the meantime, it might not hurt to give Omar Nárvaez a shot. He wouldn't cost much and could be easily DFA'd if it doesn't work out. The Red Sox could use him like the White Sox did — as a temporary stopgap.