Red Sox sign former 1st-round pick catcher to free agent contract originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox have added to their catching depth a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
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The new guy: Matt Thaiss.
His free agent signing was reported on Saturday by Andrew Parker. It’s a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training.
Thaiss was originally a first-round pick by the Angels in the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Virginia.
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He then played his first six MLB seasons for the Angels.
They mostly moved Thaiss out from behind the plate to try and let his bat shine, but he hit just .208 in his career with the Angels.
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Thaiss then split the 2025 season between the Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, and he caught for both of them a bit.
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In 2025 combined, he batted .218 in 60 games with six doubles, one triple and one home run. He had a .638 OPS.
Thaiss is 30 years old now, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound catcher who bats left-handed.
The Red Sox have Carlos Narvaez lined up to be their starting catcher. Connor Wong is slated to be the backup catcher, but after a rough 2025 season for him, it seems like someone could take his spot with a strong spring. Maybe Thaiss will be that guy.
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