Red Sox signal free agent catcher (305 MLB video games) to minor league deal as Connor Wong insurance coverage

The Red Sox have been scouring the marketplace for catching depth all winter. With simply over 10 days to go earlier than pitchers and catchers report back to spring coaching, they’ve added a veteran on a non-roster deal.

Boston has agreed to signal Matt Thaiss to a minor league cope with an invitation to big-league camp, a supply confirmed Saturday. SoxProspects’ Andrew Parker was first on the settlement.

Thaiss, a former first-round choose who has appeared in 305 main league video games since debuting in 2019, might theoretically push Connor Wong for the backup catcher spot behind Carlos Narváez with a robust spring coaching, although Wong (regardless of having minor league choices remaining) has the clear inside monitor to that job. For now, Thaiss is the third catcher on the depth chart, becoming a member of Jason Delay as veteran free agent choices who’ve signed non-roster offers this offseason.

Thaiss has hit simply .210 with a .652 OPS in elements of seven main league seasons however had a reasonably good defensive yr in 2025, posting three defensive runs saved in 411 ⅔ innings catching for the White Sox and Rays. A career-long backup who has by no means performed in additional than 95 video games in a season, Thaiss appeared in 60 video games for these two groups and hit .218 with one homer, six doubles, 16 RBIs and a mixed .638 OPS. Thaiss spent the primary two months of the season with the White Sox earlier than being traded to the Rays on May 27. He was designated for task on the commerce deadline and spent the ultimate two months of the yr at Triple-A Durham.

Thaiss spent the primary six years of his profession with the Angels from 2019 to 2024. The University of Virginia product has all the time been selective on the plate, as evidenced by a 13.1% profession stroll fee, and has posted good blocking numbers on protection (eightieth percentile in 2025, per Statcast). He has seen main league time at each nook infield positions, too, together with three complete MLB innings at first base final yr. As a rookie in 2019, he performed 43 video games at third base for the Halos.

Of the 22 gamers introduced as non-roster invitees to Red Sox camp, 5 are catchers. Behind Narváez and Wong, who’re the one two backstops on the 40-man roster, Boston may have Thaiss, Delay, Ronald Rosario and up to date commerce addition Nate Baez in camp, which begins Feb. 10 in Fort Myers.