The Boston Red Sox traded for catcher Carlos Narváez from the New York Yankees on Wednesday, sending minor league pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and international signing bonus pool money in return.
This move came shortly after the Red Sox sent top catching prospect Kyle Teel to the White Sox earlier in the day as part of a four-player package for All-Star left-handed pitcher Garret Crochet.
Narváez, 26, made his MLB debut with the Yankees this season, hitting .231 across six games. Originally signed by New York as an undrafted free agent in 2015, the Venezuelan catcher posted a .254 batting average with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs in 96 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, playing 58 games at catcher, 23 as the designated hitter, and 12 at first base.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Narváez, the Red Sox designated second baseman Enmanuel Valdez—who was their Opening Day starter last year—for assignment.
Rodriguez-Cruz, 21, enjoyed a strong season, combining to go 5-5 with a 2.91 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings across 21 appearances (20 starts) this year, mostly with Class-A Salem. Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, the Puerto Rican pitcher has posted a 2.60 ERA over three minor league seasons in the Red Sox system, with an 11-11 record in 48 games (44 starts).
