Red Sox Sign Matt Thaiss to Minor League Contract

Red Sox Add Catcher Matt Thaiss: A Low-Risk Depth Move With High Upside?

The Boston Red Sox just made a pretty sensible move, picking up veteran catcher Matt Thaiss on a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. The team needs more depth behind the plate, and Thaiss could be more than just another backup—especially with his interesting offensive profile and those mixed defensive reviews.

Thaiss’s Journey: From First Round to Fenway

Matt Thaiss, once a first-round pick, brings plenty of experience and a bit of a different offensive skill set to Boston. His career path has been anything but boring, with flashes of promise and a knack for getting on base.

Unpacking Thaiss’s Offensive Profile

Thaiss, now 30, got drafted by the Angels in 2016 out of the University of Virginia and made his MLB debut in 2019. That rookie season, he showed off a little power, hitting .211/.293/.422 with a .211 ISO over 164 plate appearances—good for an 86 wRC+.

Historically, his wRC+ usually sits in the mid-80s. Take 2023, for example: even with a low batting average, he found ways to get on base.

That year, he had 307 plate appearances. He struck out a lot—27.0% of the time—but balanced it with an 11.7% walk rate. That patience at the plate is hard to ignore and gives him value, even if he isn’t hitting for average.

The Road to Red Sox Nation

Thaiss’s route to Boston included a few detours. With the Angels, the rise of Logan O’Hoppe and the arrival of Travis d’Arnaud squeezed him out, so he bounced to the Cubs and White Sox.

Last season, in 2025, he split time between the White Sox and Rays. He kept up his usual offensive output, slashing .218/.349/.288 with an 89 wRC+.

That on-base percentage stands out. It’s probably one of the things the Red Sox front office noticed.

Defensive Dilemmas and Potential Payoffs

Thaiss’s bat is pretty straightforward, but his defense? That’s where things get a bit complicated. Some metrics like him, others not so much.

A Closer Look at Thaiss’s Defense

Defensively, opinions are all over the place. He’s had some good moments behind the plate, putting up +3 Defensive Runs Saved over 411 2/3 innings.

He gets some credit for blocking pitches, which is honestly a must for any catcher.

But Statcast doesn’t love everything about his defense. His caught-stealing percentage, framing ability, and pop time all sit in the 18th percentile or lower.

So, while he has some strengths, there’s definitely room for him to sharpen his skills behind the dish.

Red Sox Catching Depth: The Thaiss Factor

For the Boston Red Sox, signing Matt Thaiss feels like a clever, low-risk way to shore up their catching situation. He steps into a spot where he can actually compete for a real job.

Thaiss adds some much-needed depth behind Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong. He’s got enough experience—and a decent bat—to make things interesting in the race for the backup catcher spot.

With over three years in the majors and no options left, Thaiss knows he can’t afford to waste this Spring Training. His arrival gives Boston’s camp a bit of extra drama, and honestly, who isn’t curious to see if he can stick around and make an impact?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox, Matt Thaiss Agree To Minor-League Deal