MLB Rumors: Red Sox Pushed To Add Former Dodgers 11-Year Veteran
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The Boston Red Sox have seen a breakout year from catcher Carlos Narvaez, which was desperately needed considering how poorly Connor Wong has played.
In 40 games, Wong is slashing .155/.233/.175 with 26 strikeouts, zero home runs, and 16 hits in over 100 at-bats. It's past time for the 29-year-old catcher to be moved off the big league roster.
Katie Manganelli of BoSox Injection recently suggested the Red Sox should add the former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes. Barnes was recently designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 21: Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets a face full of seeds after a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at...
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 21: Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets a face full of seeds after a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium on July 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. More
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
"In recent seasons behind the plate, Barnes has ranked above or near the league average in blocks above average and framing. He didn't get enough playing time in the big leagues to log statistics for 2025, but he ranked in the 85th percentile with five blocks above average and in the 53rd percentile in framing last season," Manganelli wrote. "Barnes is slow on his feet, though, with lower quartile pop time and sprint speed and just an eighth percentile caught stealing rate.
"Barnes' offensive stats don't jump off the page, but they're better than Wong's have been in more than twice as many games. Wong is slashing .162/.241/.182 with just two extra base hits and two RBI in 39 games."
The Red Sox need to do anything to move on from Wong. While he seemed to have some potential in his early years, it seems like he's a lost cause at this point.
Barnes is a fine defensive catcher with a bat slightly better than Wong's, though it's absolutely nothing to be excited about.
But the former Dodgers catcher would bring a veteran presence with him that the Red Sox could use on Narvaez's off days. This wouldn't be a World Series-winning move for the Red Sox, but it would push them in the right direction.
More MLB: MLB Rumors: Phillies Predicted To Cut Ties With 11-Year Veteran
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