The Boston Red Sox did not enter the offseason planning to overhaul their catching situation. But as spring training approaches, it has become increasingly clear that the status quo behind the plate no longer inspires much confidence inside the organization.
Boston upgraded aggressively through trades this winter, adding frontline pitching and veteran bats, yet one position remains unresolved. Carlos Narváez sits atop the depth chart, but the search for a reliable partner—or upgrade—behind him has quietly stretched back months.
According to multiple reports, the Red Sox never stopped looking.
Red Sox Still Searching for Stability Behind the Plate
Craig Breslow’s front office explored several avenues to address catcher depth before the market narrowed. Boston checked in on J.T. Realmuto. The club monitored Victor Caratini. Both landed elsewhere. Internally, Connor Wong remains the primary backup option, but his grip on the role appears tenuous after posting a .500 OPS in 63 games last season.
Sean McAdam of MassLive reported that the Red Sox “remain active” in pursuit of help at the position, a notable phrase given how close the calendar sits to spring training. That activity has not been limited to free agency. Boston has also explored trade possibilities, even circling back to familiar names.
The Red Sox previously contacted the White Sox about Kyle Teel, only months after trading him away. That inquiry underscored how uneasy the club feels about its current catching depth—and why external solutions remain firmly in play.
One potential target, however, stands out because of timing, age, and roster context.
Why Dalton Rushing Keeps Surfacing in Boston
Only after surveying the broader market does Dalton Rushing emerge as a particularly intriguing fit for Boston.
Rushing, 24, debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season after carving through Triple-A pitching. The Dodgers created space for him by designating Austin Barnes for assignment, signaling real belief in Rushing’s long-term upside. But belief does not always translate to opportunity.
With Will Smith locked into a 10-year, $140 million contract, the Dodgers simply do not have a clear everyday path for Rushing behind the plate. Shohei Ohtani occupies the designated hitter spot indefinitely, and while Rushing has experimented with first base and left field, those roles still project as part-time solutions at best.
Rushing struggled statistically in his limited MLB role, slashing .204/.258/.324 in 53 games, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized that his priorities centered on defense and pitcher rapport rather than offensive output. Late-season injuries further limited his impact, and he appeared in just one postseason game.
Despite that, rival evaluators continue to view Rushing as a long-term regular. His bat-to-ball skills, power projection, and defensive foundation make him exactly the type of player rebuilding or retooling teams often target—especially those willing to be patient.
The Red Sox do not need Rushing to be a finished product on Opening Day. They need upside, cost control, and stability behind Narváez. At 24, with multiple years of club control remaining, Rushing checks each of those boxes. He would also align with Boston’s recent preference for acquiring controllable talent via trade rather than committing heavily in free agency.
The unanswered question, of course, is price. The Dodgers have not signaled urgency to move Rushing, and their catching depth has thinned in recent months. But history suggests Los Angeles will trade from surplus when roster congestion becomes unavoidable.
For now, the Red Sox continue to wait—active, cautious, and unresolved behind the plate. And as long as that remains true, Dalton Rushing’s name is unlikely to disappear from Boston’s radar.
Red Sox Explore Trade With Dodgers to Address Catching Depth