As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays jostle to be crowned 2025 World Series Champions, former Boston Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts is once again showcasing his generational talent on baseball's biggest stage, with his sights set on a third title with the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, back in Boston, the only remnant of a humiliating trade return for Betts is fighting to keep his MLB career alive. In February 2020, the Red Sox sent Betts to the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo, infielder Jeter Downs, and catcher Connor Wong.
Nearly six years later, Verdugo is unemployed, Downs has played his last MLB game, and Wong could soon be on his way out of Boston.
Red Sox Could Move on from Connor Wong This Offseason
Wong, 29, lost his starting spot to rookie Carlos Narvaez in 2025, largely due to his inability to generate any source of offensive production. Wong failed to record an RBI until June 23 and also failed to hit a single home run in 188 plate appearances. The five-year vet finished below the Mendoza line with a .190 batting average and had more strikeouts (42) than hits (32). After appearing in 126 games in 2024, Wong's playing time was halved to 63 games last season.
Following the 2024 season, there was hope that Wong — although not a caliber of player worthy of fetching Betts — could still muster up a respectable big league career. Unfortunately, his 2025 campaign and the emergence of Narvaez have cast serious doubts on that hope.
Now, it's time for the Red Sox to consider moving on.
Red Sox Will Have Catchers to Target
If the Red Sox decide to go outside of the organization to find a viable backup behind Narvaez, the free agent market at the catcher position is littered with veterans.
Three-time All-Star J.T. Realmuto will deservedly demand the headlines among free agent catchers. Still, a reunion with former Red Sox backstops Christian Vazquez and Danny Jansen — both pending free agents — could be more appetizing economical options for Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. Vazquez's light hitting will raise concerns, but perhaps Boston's front office is persuaded by his veteran leadership and the potential acquisitions of impactful bats (Pete Alonso, anyone?) to offset a lack of offensive production.
The Red Sox have already made a roster move at the catcher position this offseason, albeit a modest one. Per Aram Leighton of Just Baseball, Boston reached a minor league deal with former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Delay on Oct. 26. The 30-year-old last appeared in an MLB game in June 2024, so it would be surprising for him to see big league action with the Sox.
Nevertheless, it's evident that Wong doesn't have much of a future in Boston, and it sounds like the Red Sox are already working on putting him in the rearview mirror.