The Red Sox Stick with Their Catcher: A Controversial Move?
In a move that has sparked some debate among baseball enthusiasts, catcher Connor Wong has signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox for the 2026 season. This agreement, which avoids salary arbitration, is an intriguing decision with a mix of potential rewards and risks.
Let’s delve into the details and explore why this move is generating buzz.
Wong, at 29 years old, had a challenging 2025 season. A broken pinkie finger, suffered early in the year due to catcher’s interference, limited his playing time and saw him lose his starting role. Despite a strong 2024 season, where he batted .280/.333/.425, Wong struggled to find his rhythm in 2025, managing just a .190/.262/.238 line with no home runs in 63 games. This led to him being relegated to part-time duty, backing up Carlos Narváez.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Wong. While his hitting suffered, his defensive skills, particularly his pitch-framing, improved significantly. After being rated well below average in this area, Wong made some technical adjustments and became roughly league average in 2025. His work with the pitching staff, a key strength of the playoff-bound Red Sox, was commendable.
But here’s where it gets controversial: despite Wong’s offensive struggles and his arbitration eligibility, the Red Sox decided to stick with him, offering a substantial raise over his 2025 salary of $790,000. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow expressed confidence in Wong’s ability to bounce back, and this one-year agreement seems to underscore that belief.
And this is the part most people miss: Wong’s injuries in 2025 could be seen as a major factor in his poor performance. The broken pinkie and the subsequent surgery to remove a carpal boss on his right hand, which can impact range of motion, might have affected his hitting more than we realize. The Red Sox seem to be betting on Wong’s ability to recover fully and return to his 2024 form.
So, is this a risky move by the Red Sox, or a calculated gamble with potential rewards? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. It’s time to spark a discussion and see if the Red Sox made the right call!