In a noteworthy move, the Boston Red Sox have reached an agreement with catcher Matt Thaiss on a minor-league contract. This deal not only secures Thaiss a position within the organization but also grants him an invitation to participate in the upcoming major league Spring Training, as reported by Andrew Parker from SoxProspects, with additional insights provided by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
Thaiss, now 30 years old, was a first-round draft selection by the Los Angeles Angels in 2016, hailing from the University of Virginia. He made his MLB debut in 2019, where he registered a batting line of .211/.293/.422 over 164 plate appearances, which amounted to an 86 wRC+ and a .211 ISO. Throughout his career, Thaiss has generally maintained wRC+ values in the mid-80s. After experiencing limited playing opportunities between 2020 and 2022, he received a more extended chance in 2023, where he logged 307 plate appearances across 95 games with the Angels. Although he struggled with a strikeout rate of 27.0%—which was above the league average—his walk rate of 11.7% was commendable, allowing him to keep his on-base percentage above .300 despite hitting for a low average.
The 2024 season saw Logan O’Hoppe emerge as the primary catcher for the Angels, which significantly reduced Thaiss’s time on the field. Following this, in November, the team opted to sign veteran Travis d’Arnaud as their new backup catcher, resulting in Thaiss being designated for assignment. Subsequently, he was traded to the Cubs before eventually landing with the Chicago White Sox. In 2025, he split his season between the White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, putting up a batting line of .218/.349/.288, yielding an 89 wRC+. His performance was considered adequate for a backup catcher, although evaluations of his defensive skills were mixed. Over 411 and two-thirds innings caught that year, he achieved a Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) total of 3, with positive reviews for his blocking abilities. However, Statcast metrics reflected less favorable outcomes for his caught stealing rate, pitch framing, and pop times, all of which were rated in the lower 18th percentile or below.
For the Red Sox, signing Thaiss represents a low-risk depth option behind the current starter, Carlos Narvaez, and fellow catcher Connor Wong. In the previous season, Narvaez posted a respectable 97 wRC+ across 446 plate appearances, while also contributing 10 Defensive Runs Saved behind the plate. Although both Thaiss and Wong may not directly compete for the starting position, Thaiss’s consistent mid-80s wRC+ and stronger walk rate may put him in contention for the backup role. Wong, while decent defensively, struggled offensively in 2025, managing a mere 39 wRC+. With over three years of service time and no options remaining, Thaiss's addition could provide valuable competition and depth for the Red Sox's catching lineup.
