The Boston Red Sox have made it clear: they’re not standing pat when it comes to their catching situation. With Carlos Narvaez penciled in as the likely starter behind the plate, the front office is still actively searching for the right piece to complement him. And while the team’s most recent acquisition wasn’t necessarily brought in for that role, there’s at least a chance he could factor into the conversation.
Enter Willson Contreras.
The Red Sox swung a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals to bring in the veteran, with the initial plan being to use the 33-year-old primarily at first base. But Contreras, a three-time All-Star who built his career as a catcher with the Chicago Cubs, isn’t shutting the door on returning to his roots.
On a recent video call with reporters, Contreras made it clear he’s open to donning the gear again. “He might see some time behind the plate,” according to reports, “but the Red Sox prefer him to stick at first base and DH for now.”
That preference makes sense when you consider the wear and tear that comes with catching, especially for a player who’s transitioned into more of a bat-first role in recent years. Contreras was still catching full-time as recently as 2021, but by 2022, he was seeing regular at-bats as a designated hitter. After signing with the Cardinals in 2023, he didn’t make the move to first base until 2025 - a shift that signaled a long-term change in how teams viewed his defensive value.
So while Contreras is willing, it doesn’t sound like Boston is eager to throw him back into the grind of catching every few days. That said, in a pinch?
He’s there. And that kind of flexibility can be valuable over a 162-game season.
Still, if you’re looking for signs that Contreras is the backup plan behind Narvaez, don’t hold your breath. The Red Sox have been quietly but persistently working the phones in pursuit of a more traditional second catcher.
According to reports, they were in deep on Victor Caratini before he signed a two-year deal with the Twins. That move came just hours after the Phillies re-signed J.T.
Realmuto - a domino that may have changed the market for teams like Boston.
The Red Sox also reportedly reached out to the White Sox to gauge interest in reacquiring Kyle Teel, and they’ve kept an eye on Dodgers prospect Dalton Rushing. That’s not just due diligence - that’s a team actively hunting for the right fit.
And it’s not hard to see why. Connor Wong, who split time behind the plate in 2025, struggled mightily at the plate, finishing the season with a .190 batting average. That kind of offensive production puts pressure on the rest of the lineup, especially when the backup catcher is expected to carry a significant workload.
So where does that leave the Red Sox? In a familiar spot - still searching.
Narvaez may be the guy for now, and Contreras offers some emergency depth, but Boston clearly isn’t satisfied. They’re looking for a true complement, someone who can share the load and provide a bit more punch than what they got last season.
It’s not a flashy storyline, but in a season that could hinge on depth and durability, finding the right No. 2 catcher might be one of the most important decisions the Red Sox make before Opening Day.