With Opening Day just one week away, the Boston Red Sox's 26-man roster is coming into view. On March 20, they decided on their catching tandem for the start of the year.
The Red Sox optioned catcher Blake Sabol to minor league camp to leave Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez among the last 45 players in Sox camp. Barring any injuries or dramatic changes, they're expected to be the Sox's No. 1 and 2 catchers, respectively.
Boston acquired Sabol, 27, via trade with the Giants as a depth catching option after 2024 backstops Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire departed in free agency last year. Sabol batted .211/.348/.263 with four hits, five strikeouts and four walks in 11 appearances in the Grapefruit League.
Wong seemed like a lock for the starting catcher job after his breakout season last year. The Red Sox also traded top catching prospect Kyle Teel to the White Sox, and since Wong is their last remaining piece from the Mookie Betts trade, they're likely determined to make something work.
Red Sox option Blake Sabol to minor league camp, Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez Boston's likely catching tandem in 2025
The #RedSox today optioned C Blake Sabol to minor league camp.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 20, 2025
With today’s roster move, the Red Sox have 45 players remaining in Major League Spring Training camp, including 12 non-roster invitees.
Wong batted .280/.333/.425 with 24 doubles, a triple, 13 homers and 52 RBI over 126 games last season. He batted well into the .300s until July, when he and the Red Sox, as a whole, began to cool down. He's slashing .190/.280/.476 in nine spring training appearances.
The Sox acquired Narváez this offseason as their return in a rare trade with the Yankees. They sent righty pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and cash considerations to New York on Dec. 11. Narváez has six games of big league experience from the 2024 season when he batted .231/.333/.231 with three hits, six strikeouts and two walks. He's posted a .226/.333/.290 slash line in 14 Grapefruit League appearances.
Narváez will bring a new level of defense to Boston's starting catching tandem. Wong ranked below the 10th percentile in blocks above average and framing last season, and Narváez fared around league-average in those categories in his very short stint in the major leagues. Red Sox catching coach Parker Guinn told Christopher Smith of MassLive about the former Yankee's defensive prowess on March 29.
“He was one of the top, if not the top, defender in Triple-A last year,“ Guinn said. ”Incredible receiver."
Wong's offensive breakout and Narváez's defensive success make for a solid combination behind the plate for Boston. Hopefully, Wong can kick his spring training struggles at the plate and continue to be a key righty bat in the Sox's 2025 lineup.