The Boston Red Sox announced on Nov. 20 that they have signed catcher Connor Wong to a one-year deal worth $1.375 million for the 2026 MLB season. The deal allows both sides to avoid arbitration. Wong was in his first year of arbitration eligibility, but has settled for a modest price.
The 29-year-old catcher struggled in the 2025 season as he battled through injuries and limited playing time. He hit just .190 in 63 games and failed to hit a home run.
Wong’s value appeared most on the defensive side, as he provided great play behind the plate. Not only was he an above-average defender, but as a catcher, he worked with the pitching staff to improve their control and pitch selection, most notably with closer Aroldis Chapman, who had a career year at age 37.
Wong’s most successful offensive season came in 2024, when he hit .280 in 126 games while hitting 13 home runs and driving in 52 runs.
He will most likely serve as Carlos Narváez’s backup again in 2026. Narváez is coming off of a phenomenal rookie season and established himself as an everyday player after the Sox signed him from the New York Yankees.
Wong Final Remaining Piece From Infamous Mookie Betts Trade
Connor Wong is the last man standing from the infamous trade the Red Sox made with the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2020. The Sox sent one of the best players in the league in Mookie Betts and veteran pitcher David Price to the Dodgers for platoon outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong.
Verdugo spent four seasons in Boston and had a moderate amount of success, but spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. Downs only ever played 14 games as a Red Sox and has since bounced around the minor leagues, never amounting to an MLB player.
Wong has carved out a small but nevertheless significant role with Boston in his five seasons with the team.
Though David Price’s career pretty much flamed out after the trade, the Dodgers received Betts’ who has been a perennial all-star and been a massive piece in LA’s three World Series wins in the last six seasons.
Most Sox fans still look at the trade as the second worst in the history of the organization, only behind the infamous “Curse of the Bambino” trade back in the early 1900’s.
Boston Remains Busy Strategizing As Free Agency Approaches
The Wong signing is one of a plethora of minor moves the Red Sox have made in the last few weeks as they prepare for free agency, where they’re expected to be in contention for several big names like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber.
In the last three weeks, Boston has DFA’d first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and relief pitcher Josh Winckowski and traded away pitchers Chris Murphy, Brennan Bernardino, Alex Hoppe, and Luis Guerrero. They’ve mostly been moves to acquire prospects.
Red Sox fans are hoping that for the second year in a row, Boston’s front office will be active in the free agent market and surround the young core with impact veterans to put together a World Series contending team.
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