Red Sox Have Yankees To Thank For ‘Hidden Treasure’ From Under-The-Radar Trade

The Yankees will see a familiar face behind the plate this weekend when they visit the Red Sox for a three-game series at Fenway Park.

New York traded catcher Carlos Narvaez to Boston back in December. At the time, no one thought much of the transaction. But now, that deal looks like a real steal for the Red Sox.

ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle identified Thursday six “under-the-radar trades” making big impacts this season. The Narvaez deal topped his list. At the time of the deal, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was shopping for a backup to catcher Connor Wong.

Today, Narvaez is a lineup regular and one of the Red Sox’s most consistent players, with Doolittle calling him a “hidden treasure.”

That’s because Narvaez is second among American League catchers with a WAR of 2.1 (trailing only Seattle Mariners backstop Cal Raleigh’s 3.3).

In 53 games this season, Narvaez is slashing .279/.355/.458. His 14 doubles ranks fifth on the Red Sox. The only Boston position players with a WAR higher than Narvaez? Third baseman Alex Bregman (3.0), outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (2.4) and designated hitter Rafael Devers (2.4).

Narvaez made his MLB debut last season while with the Yankees. He got 13 at-bats over six games and hit .231.

Last Sunday, after hitting a three-run home run against the Yankees in the Red Sox’s 11-7 win in the Bronx, reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge had nothing but nice things to say about his former teammate.

“Narvy is a hard worker, a great teammate, one of the best we ever had over here,” Judge said, according to Doolittle. “He outworked everybody in this room. So it doesn’t surprise me he’s having the success he is this year.”