Red Sox, Connor Wong Avoid Arbitration With One-Year Deal

The Boston Red Sox have locked in catcher Connor Wong for the 2026 season on a one-year, $1.375 million deal. They managed to avoid arbitration and keep some roster flexibility, which is always nice to see.

Wong’s offensive numbers took a nosedive in 2025 after a breakout year in 2024. Still, the team liked his defensive progress and potential upside, so they kept him as backup to rookie Carlos Narvaez.

Boston’s clearly thinking ahead when it comes to catcher depth. They’re keeping options open as they look to the future.

Connor Wong’s Contract Details

Chris Cotillo at MassLive reported that Wong’s deal includes some performance incentives. He can tack on $25,000 for hitting plate appearance marks at 250, 300, and 350, which could bump his total up to $1.45 million.

Those incentives might give Wong a little extra push to earn more playing time, even though he’s slotted as the backup for now.

First-Year Arbitration Eligibility

This is Wong’s first year eligible for arbitration. The Red Sox control his contract through 2028, but his role will hinge on whether he can get his bat going again and keep up the defensive gains.

From Breakout Season to Offensive Decline

In 2024, Wong surprised a lot of people. He hit .280/.333/.425 with 13 homers over 487 plate appearances, which looked pretty promising for a catcher.

But 2025? That was rough. He dropped to just .190/.262/.238 in 188 plate appearances. Rookie Carlos Narvaez ended up taking over as the main catcher.

Impact of Production Drop

When a catcher’s bat disappears, it can really shake up a career. Wong lost his starting spot and had to fight just to stick on the roster.

There’s still a bit of hope he can bounce back if he tweaks his approach, but it’s far from guaranteed.

Defensive Improvement in 2025

While his offense faded, Wong actually made progress defensively. Statcast showed better framing and blocking, which helped pitchers get a few extra strikes and cut down on passed balls.

That defensive uptick gave the Red Sox a reason to keep him around, even if he’s not exactly Yadier Molina back there.

How Roster Flexibility Comes Into Play

Wong still has a minor league option left, which is handy. Boston can move him up and down if they pick up another catcher or need to tweak the lineup midseason.

Having that kind of flexibility is a real plus, especially for a team trying to mix veterans with young prospects.

What the 2026 Season Could Bring

Looking ahead, Wong should back up Carlos Narvaez, who took over as the top catcher in 2025. Wong’s playing time will probably depend on his health, matchups, and whether he can fix his swing.

Potential Paths Forward

If Wong finds his 2024 groove, maybe he pushes for more at-bats or even a timeshare. But if the struggles stick around, it’s hard to imagine him lasting in Boston until 2028.

Key Takeaways

Boston’s decision to keep Wong shows real belief in his potential. The team clearly values experienced catching depth.

This move doesn’t cost much and includes incentives tied to playing time. That should help keep motivation high for everyone involved.

• Contract: One-year, $1.375 million, with up to $75,000 in incentives
• Role: Backup catcher to Carlos Narvaez in 2026
• Strengths: Improved defensive framing and blocking
• Weaknesses: Significant drop in offensive production in 2025
• Control: Under Red Sox team control through 2028

The 2026 season could really define Connor Wong’s career. He’s sharpened his defense, but now it’s about finding that swing again and showing he still belongs in the Red Sox lineup.

 
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