The Red Sox acquired catcher Carlos Narváez from the Yankees for minor league pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and international bonus pool space. Boston designated infielder Enmanuel Valdez for assignment to open the necessary 40-man roster spot.
Narváez, 26, is a depth catcher who has been on New York’s 40-man roster since last offseason. The Venezuela native reached the majors for the first time in July. He appeared in six games, collecting three singles and two walks in 15 plate appearances. Narváez had a good year in Triple-A, hitting .254/.370/.412 with 20 doubles and 11 home runs through 403 plate appearances. He walked at an excellent 13.9% clip while striking out 26.1% of the time.
The righty-hitting Narváez strikes out a lot, but he walks enough to reach base at a solid rate. Connor Wong was the only catcher on Boston’s 40-man roster. Narváez is now the favorite for the backup job by default, though the Sox will probably look for a more established veteran in the coming months. Narváez has a pair of minor league options and could begin next season at Triple-A Worcester.
New York had five catchers on the 40-man roster. Austin Wells and Jose Trevino form the MLB duo. J.C. Escarra, who finished the season in Triple-A, secured a 40-man spot at the end of the season. Carrying Narváez and Escarra was redundant, so the Yanks cash in the former to take a flier on a young pitcher.
Rodriguez-Cruz, 21, was Boston’s fourth-round pick three years ago. The 6’3″ righty has worked as a starter in the low minors. Rodriguez-Cruz had a nice season between Low-A and High-A, working to a 2.91 ERA with a 27.2% strikeout percentage across 89 2/3 innings. The Puerto Rico native issued free passes at a lofty 11.5% clip. He’ll need to dial in his command if he’s to stick as a starter. He’s an intriguing developmental flier for the Yankees to land for a player who was at the back of the roster.
New York also picks up an undisclosed amount of money it can use to sign an international amateur before the end of the signing period on Sunday. To be clear, the signing bonus space is unrelated to Roki Sasaki. The Japanese star will be part of next year’s amateur class. Teams cannot trade for 2025 bonus allotments until that signing period begins on January 15.
Valdez gets pushed off the roster after a disappointing season. The lefty-hitting infielder posted a .214/.270/.363 slash with six homers through 223 plate appearances. That’s a big drop from last year’s intriguing .266/.311/.453 showing over 49 games as a rookie. Valdez spent a good portion of the season in Worcester, where he had a league average .233/.330/.446 line in 50 contests.
Boston has five days to trade Valdez or put him on waivers. He still has a minor league option remaining and has a career .254/.345/.473 line over parts of three Triple-A seasons. Between that and his ability to bounce between second and third base, there’s a good chance he’ll find a new home within the next week.
Nooo not eman
sad – Valdez was actually called “Mini Soto” because scouts and fans compared his swing to Juan Soto.
Kinda funny that instead of gaining a Soto this week, they lost one. LOL
That’s only in the same vain as when Ronnie Belliard was called “Mini Manny” in Cleveland because Belliard imitated Manny Ramirez’ batting stance.
If Valdez could have hit even like a bootleg Soto the Sox wouldn’t have had a black hole at 2B last season
But the other guy we got in the trade with Valdez was Wilyer abreu
alan – I loved that trade then, and I still love it now.
One of Bloom’s best moves (not that there were many).
Rsox – Just a couple years ago Yoshida was called “The Japanese Juan Soto”.
I better include a link before someone claims the opinion was mine (Adam Jones was among the first to make the comparison).
espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37858918/boston-red-sox-ro…
Meh. Players copy each other’s batting stances and swings all the time, rarely to similiar results. One of my favorites was Marlins-era Edgar Renteria’s Gary Sheffield-esq stance
Rsox – With Yoshida/Soto I think it was more about them both having stellar plate discipline.
Pretty sad you’re comparing Enmanuel Valdez to Juan Soto
The – Hopefully you’ll never own a gun, because you sometimes shoot at the wrong guy.
I relayed what scouts and fans believed years ago, I didn’t say it was my opinion. Sheesh.
It’s okay, you’ve already shot me. I’m sure you’ll ban this account of mine too. Don’t take things so personally, it was more or less a joke. I knew you weren’t serious. Just poking a bit of fun, but you always dish it out, so why can’t I?
The – I have no idea what your prior handle was, I don’t have the power to “ban” anyone, and I’ve supported many of your posts …. so what’s the problem here? Don’t be mad because I defended myself bro.
I meant to say my past account you had blocked me. You’re the one who seems mad. You’re overly defensive, but whatever, I don’t care. I won’t instigate you again, even if I’m joking. You pounce on me without even listening for clarification to my posts, but to each their own.
It’s funny how I came to get this username, but I’m here to talk baseball.
in fairness he mutes people that dunk on him when he’s wrong.
You’re just the same, believe me. You assume everyone is with him. You were after me because you thought I was his henchman.
But not my loss. It’s not worth messing with either of you.
I made my username out of honor to you both.
The – Your current handle is an immediate turnoff to others, but it never influenced me. That’s proof I’m a chill guy.
Okay, not sure what to make of that, but I’ll take it. I don’t trust half of what you say, though, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a moot point.
i never went after you period or thought you were his henchman and I don’t assume anyone is with him because he’s wrong the majority of the time.
I suspect you’re the same person who kept changing his screen to something like bello throws mayo or whatever. I just didn’t like your take on Bello
The – No need to trust when actions speak louder than words.
Despite your self-proclaimed handle, and despite the fact you say I muted you in the past, we are still having friendly conversations.
It’s the holiday season, lets keep talkin’ baseball and spreading positive vibes.
You didn’t like my take on Bello, so I was a troll for that reason? And working behind the scenes with Casas Mis Casas, a guy i didn’t even know? Yeah that makes a lot of sense. I’m a troll because you didn’t like my opinion. Sounds like Fever Pitch Guy to me.
I never said you were troll. I disagreed with your opinion. that’s all. I certainly don’t recall anything about saying you and the casas guy were working together.
Well I vaguely remember you calling me a troll or highly implying it. Maybe I’m wrong. I also remember a comment about Mis Casas since he kept liking all my posts for some strange reason. I’ve never even reacted to a single one of his posts and vice versa.
It’s moot now. I just wanted a clean slate so I dropped that account. Got heckled way too much. Figured I’d call myself a troll and then I have nothing to lose.
Feel what you want about Bello. He’s not my favorite but it could be worse.
I was originally PWNdroia if you go back far enough
no worries and understand the clean slate. I wouldn’t group with the likes of KD17 or fever. might disagree on Bello but I found most of you takes to be reasonable.
I don’t agree with them. I thought you hated me to be honest. I felt like you had attacked me (and my usernames) and I truly got fed up with the whole place. I came back because I truly do like baseball and want to talk about it
i don’t hate anyone and never intended for you to feel attacked.
Good to know
Narváez has an excellent eye, some pop, and a rocket for an arm. He can be a solid second catcher on the MLB level. Not a bad pickup. The Yankees dealing from surplus and want the international bonus pool space, even if it can’t be used for Sasaki.
Lord – Rocket for an arm? Even stronger than Ken Phelps?
that’s the most ridiculously optimistic outlook I’ve seen on Narvaez.
What the heck was that
Mr. Wonka? Mr. Wonka? I said you get NOTHING you lose! Good day sir!!
Price was nil so it’s fine for spring training. I’d still though prefer Reece McGuire at this point. I’m still believing the search for an actual roster catcher is still on. By trading Teal, they might be close for another
Trevino wouldn’t be bad either
Ignorant – Just please don’t suggest Vazquez, it’s already been a very rough day for Red Sox Nation!
You will be getting another pitcher very soon, likely from the Mariners. Should be an okay day for ya…my Magic 8 Ball picking up lots of vibes from Dallas via Seattle.
I mean, Fever, just the fact that Breslow was able to pull the trigger and deal in a deliberate manner should be a positive step because he wasn’t looking good there for a bit due to his indecisiveness.
The padres are more motivated to trade cease
Because they’re bringing their salary down.
Now I’m seeing YOSHIDA and Abreu for Castillo….no!: that’s not gonna fly!
Ignorant – I think either Breslow is a crappy free agent negotiator, or his hands are tied by cheap owners.
He pulled a couple very bold trades last year, Dugie and Sale. One is looking rather good, the other is looking quite bad.
There is so much internal turmoil going on right now with Breslow butting heads with Cora/Kennedy, it’s fair to say Breslow is basically a figurehead.
Ignorant – Yoshida would be very popular in Seattle, don’t ya think? If he’s healthy the guy will hit, and his style is perfect for that park.
Fever- unfortunately I have negative connotations associated with him from all the “trade Yoshida!” “Dump Yoshida!” exclamations I’ve heard from RS fans over the last couple years…I need to look at him objectively with fresh eyes lol !
We know they are interested in James McCann but seeing how they like platoons i could sadly see Tucker Barnhart, even if only on a minor league invite to training camp
they did this deal for $$$. if they went into the free agent market for a catcher, it might have cost them anywhere up to 5 million a year.Well, this guy makes league minimum,
Wouldn’t it be ironic if this International bonus money was used to secure Sasaki. Way to go Red Sox.
My thoughts exactly
@mets
That’s the 1st thing I thought when I read this. I want Sasaki badly in the Mets rotation next season. Maybe it’s unrealistic but i can still dream.
Sasaki would be dumb to go to a team over an extra million or two. He should have a long career and more than make that up on his second deal. He should prioritize fit over money because teams will be within a mil or two of each other.
His agent said he already advised him on that.
@joe
what’s the issue with where he goes? are you anti Yanks?
Knicks – I am a red Sox fan ha. But honestly look back at the Ohtani bidding. Didn’t he go to LAA because of Trout and to be in the west Coast? That seemed to work out for him.
Did anyone read the article,? LOL. The money is for this period that expires on Sunday.
To be charitable often articles say “more to come” or are edited late. That info may not have been there when they commented.
Would you walk away from a mil or two if there wasn’t much of a difference otherwise?
@joemo. Sasaki would be dumb to not ask for max bonus money, once he decides his team. Angels went from 12th to 2nd in international money. When they signed ohtani, he’s 100 percent going to get it. Also this is a minor trade doubt Yankees acquired a big chunk of international money it’s probably 250k.
Rex – that’s true. But I would be surprised if he went to say the Sacramento A’s because they had one of the biggest bonus pools over say LAD/SD which have significantly less money but are more than likely a better fit.
Big Market like NY,LA, or SEA are the only places he’s going to make big money in endorsements.
The article doesn’t specify but I’m not sure clubs are trading 2025 int’l pool money yet. It could be 2024 money that needs to be spent by Sunday and won’t be spent on Sasaki.
@phenom. Didn’t think about that, but your probably correct.
Hadn’t seen your comment when I posted similar.
They can’t trade that money until after January 15th.
@baseballisthebest. It’s probably Sunday. They updated the post it originally didn’t have any details about the international money.
I don’t think the Yankees are getting Sasaki but reread it the Yankees are getting Elmer Rodriguez Cruz and international bonus pool money not trading it away.
It may have to be this season’s pool money and Sasaki’s camp has indicated that he won’t sign until next year’s pool opens Jan. 15th.
I was essentially saying that money isn’t affecting wherever Sasaki signs, but it’s going to the Yankees. Either way whatever the Yankees do with it hopefully helps.
The pool money is not going to matter at all…do you think Sasaki is going to go to a certain team just because they have $5000 more than the other team?? If he stays healthy , his payday will be in a couple years. He’s going where he feels comfortable, not about the money.
@ignorant. If that’s correct why hasn’t he signed with any team for a 100-300k in the 2024 pool money.
Because he just got posted yesterday right?
@ignorant. Well two days ago, but if he doesn’t care he would’ve signed with the a’s. Just saying he’s 100 percent going to squeeze out a extra million or two from the team he picks, because why not.
Whoops I didn’t know the discrepancies could be in the millions. For some reason I thought the team’s international signing pool money was a lot smaller pot. My bad.
Teams have to wait one year to sign him to an extension and you can bet that wherever he signs they will go all in to get him locked up.
@ignorant. Probably looked at the 2024. It’s pretty much 6 million and you can add up to the 60% of that total so quick math 9.5. That’s what’s around what the dodgers and padres could do being the lowest tier. Some of the other teams can get up to 12-13. Wondering if teams are getting extra money to sign some of guys they planned for 2025, but I’m not sure about the age restrictions or the rules, because getting sasaki will wipe out the whole international class.
Didn’t this site do an article on how much each team would have? Dodgers are around $5 million. Padres around $6 million. Top amounts are around $7.5 million.
Maybe someone has the link to the article here?
Found it.
mlbtraderumors.com/2024/04/bonus-pools-for-2025-in…
4 tiers.
Dodgers $5.1 million. Padres $6.2 million.
@baseball. Yeah but you can add a extra 60% of that base amount from trades. I said quick math. Either way the floor is around 8-13. Depending on the tiers. I’m sure sasaki Will ask for it.
The article clearly states that the money cannot be used for the 2025 signing period and must be used by sunday
This money has to be spent by Dec 15th so it can’t be spent on Sasaki who isn’t eligible until the next signing period opens on January 15th of 2025.
Yanks building up international money
Try again.
You’re right it’s for the pitcher never been above High A lol
Try again
IMO Naverez could have replaced Trevino to save money. Interesting trade.
They lost some when they signed Fried.
They traded away international money here bucko
No, the Yankees aquired international money.
No they didn’t bucko they got it from Boston
A replacement for Teel who was Traded.
Hath heck frozeneth over?
Trades between the Sox and Yankees do happen, usually for inconsequential roster filler
Weissert proved that theory wrong last year. Plus the unkown with Fitts.
JP – He did write “usually”, which is correct.
There’s been only like 4 others over the past 30 years.
Ottavino, Drew, Stanley, BankHead,
They only pretend to hate each other. This doesn’t happen in Texas
Ranger – The Astros traded a HOF catcher to the Rangers just 15 years ago.
That was before we hated each other
ERC is an interesting prospect.
I’m not sure how I feel about Carlos Narvaez. Seems like a defensive first catcher who could crack the Yankees roster, so looks like the Sox got their catcher!
Great OBPs in the minors. Doubles hitter with some power.
yikes. another overpay (not on the level of Crochet, which I’m still scratching my head over. has potential disaster written all over it). they could’ve signed a backup from the wires at some point down the road.
to whom are you referring?
domino effect from moving teel
hoping the universe has an ironic sense of humor and ERC ends up having a better career than crochet
Two offseason in a row w Sox Yanks deals. Used to go decades without seeing even one.
What? These guys made a deal?
For a second I was thinking Omar Narvaez. It turns out it’s his cousin.
Omar might be tostada.
Totally off subject. Yanks please walk away from the table and do not trade for Tucker. The Astros will rightfully ask for the world and then we have to go thru the in-season drama of whether or not he’s going to stay? Sorry…..way too soon. Gil has extre value. If he’s legit he saves you money you can spend elsewhere. If Tucker wants to be a Yankee then you’ll have a shot at him after the season.
Nope, all in. Let’s go!
They should of gave them Trevino lol
@Green
Trevino is a tremendous pitch framer and Cole’s personal catcher, so he’s not going anywhere.
Green – Better yet, the Sox will sign Cervelli. The dude is still in his 30’s.
Yankees continue their yearly tradition of trading a catcher the last three years (Rortvedt, Higashioka & now Narvaez).
All of whom have done well since leaving the Yankees. They might have been better off trading Trevino and saving the money, but doubt the Sox would have wanted him. Can’t throw out baserunners.
It’s funny how many commentators didn’t read the last paragraph about when the money can be spent — until this season’s deadline on Sunday. So it has no effect on Red Sox’s international free agency pool when Sasaki will sign.
lol no longer is it the last paragraph. Here it is: “New York also picks up an undisclosed amount of money it can use to sign an international amateur before the end of the signing period on Sunday. To be clear, the signing bonus space is unrelated to Roki Sasaki. The Japanese star will be part of next year’s amateur class. Teams cannot trade for 2025 bonus allotments until that signing period begins on January 15.”
Cleveland – Unfortunately these days reading and listening are frowned upon.
Just a FYI, the articles get updated. So comments can come in before that is added.
This new normal to deal with the Sox is fine by me!
What y’all doing want for Casas since I’m higher on him than most Sox fans it seems…?
Can’t trade w/your big rival, bad juju.
Sparky lyle
Not a fan on this on the surface. Narvaez hits for power, has a high OBP and a cannon. He should have been on the roster last year in place of Trevy. He’ll do well in Boston.
Only way this makes sense is if CHI or HOU needs this kid in a deal for Bell or Tucker
What in the world?
A legit prospect for a fringe-roster 3rd catcher type with meh defense outside of a good arm?
Just weird. Are the Sox in full tilt panic mode?
I think Sox fans might be surprised by Narvaez. He has the potential to be a solid regular who won’t hurt you behind the dish and will surprise you with some bottom of the order power.
Now all the Red Sox need is a 3B, a 2B, an OF, another TOR starting pitcher, and 2-3 relievers and it will be a team that can compete with the Orioles for 2nd place in the East.
Yankees not taking much advantage of too many catchers in a thin catcher world.
Disappointed to lose ERC don’t know much about Navarez. ERC is disappointing to lose throws hard heavy sink decent secondaries needs to learn to throw the changeup and more strikes.