Red Sox Claim Ali Sanchez to Address Catcher Injuries, Roster Gaps

The 2025 Boston Red Sox showed improvement over the previous year but disappointed at the trade deadline by acquiring only Dustin May and Steven Matz, failing to address significant roster needs, especially on offense and catching depth. Rookie catcher Carlos Narvaez, a key surprise acquisition, suffered a knee injury, prompting the team to claim veteran catcher Ali Sanchez off waivers to bolster their catching options amid concerns about backup Connor Wong's performance. Despite a strong pitching core including Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito, the back end of the rotation remains inconsistent, and promising prospect Kyle Harrison is seen as a potential solution to strengthen depth. The Red Sox's failure to aggressively improve at the trade deadline means they face tougher competition in their playoff push and will need to focus on key roster issues such as pitching and outfield depth in the offseason. Manager Alex Cora remains hopeful about Narvaez’s recovery, as the team tries to balance immediate needs with long-term development. Overall, the Red Sox's 2025 campaign is marked by solid individual performances but is hindered by insufficient midseason reinforcements and lingering roster vulnerabilities.