Red Sox’s Little-Known Key Trade Addition Establishes Dream Goal

Not much attention was drawn by the offseason trade acquisition of catcher Carlos Narváez, made by the Boston Red Sox back in December.

When manager Alex Cora and starting pitcher Walker Buehler got ejected in the third inning of Tuesday night’s matchup against the New York Mets, Narváez delivered a solo home run in the fifth to get Boston on the board. Narváez has continued his out-of-the-blue breakout run, and the rookie is already setting sights on another major goal: playing for Team Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

“It’s a matchup to see who’s better,” Narváez told Elemergente.com’s Marcos Grunfeld in Spanish. “You target their weaknesses using each pitcher’s strengths. As I said, we’re talking hypothetically, but if it happens, we’ll be ready.”

The WBC is the tournament for stars to represent their countries, and it’s an especially prideful showcase for MLB’s Latin-American players like Narváez. Fellow Venezuelan countrymen such as Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve, Salvador Pérez and Ronald Acuña Jr. have each participated, and Narváez would love to sit behind the plate when the festivities return next year.

Pérez, a future Baseball Hall of Famer, was Venezuela’s starting catcher two years ago in the 2023 WBC, and the nine-time All-Star will likely return for another run.

Narváez served as a backup for the New York Yankees last season, and it only took minor leaguer Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz — currently pitching in High-A — to bring Narváez to Boston. The plan was for Connor Wong to fill the starting catcher’s role and for Narváez to provide the roster with depth, but the 26-year-old has made it difficult for Cora to start anyone else behind the plate since arriving on scene.

Whether it’s been with the glove or bat, Narváez has delivered. He’s caught eight runners stealing while slashing .279/.343/.459 with five home runs, seven doubles and 15 RBIs, begging the question: did the Red Sox fleece the Yankees? Narváez wasn’t the must-watch rookie in Boston, as Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony began knocking on the door as soon as spring training began.

However, Narváez has given Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow a return worth bragging about thus far.

If the ascendance continues, it’s hard to imagine Venezuela doesn’t consider Narváez.

Venezuela reached the quarterfinals two years ago and fell to the United States — a team that featured Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Bobby Witt Jr., Kyle Schwarber and Nolan Arenado. Narváez recalls Venezuela’s tournament exit vividly and would love to hop aboard for the team’s redemption chase.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner launched a go-ahead grand slam against Venezuela in the eighth inning of the quarterfinals, to send the United States squad to the semifinals against Cuba.

“You know? I think I would have asked for that pitch, too,” Narváez said. “Obviously, that comes down to pitch execution. Pitchers are human, too. They’re bound to make mistakes. Unfortunately, he missed at the worst time, and Turner made him pay. That’s baseball.”

For now, Narváez will focus on the Red Sox and maintaining the production that should spark feelings of regret from the Yankees and their front office.