The World Series isn’t even over yet, but that didn’t stop the Red Sox from already adding some catching depth on the free agent market.
Boston has reached a minor league deal for 2026 with veteran catcher Jason Delay, an industry source confirmed late Sunday night. It’s very likely to include a non-roster invite to major league spring training.
Delay, who will turn 31 in March, has nine years of professional experience, including 134 big league games over three seasons with Pittsburgh from 2022 to 2024. The former fourth round pick out of Vanderbilt made 107 starts in that span, and in total, hit .231 with two homers, 35 RBIs and a .610 OPS in 373 plate appearances. He spent 2025 with the Braves’ organization after being traded to Atlanta for cash in April. In 68 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Delay hit .200 with a .518 OPS. He elected free agency at the beginning of October.
Defense has always been the calling card for Delay, who posted strong framing numbers with Pittsburgh in 2022 and 2023.
Barring a more impactful addition, the Red Sox project to once again have Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong as their major league catching tandem in 2026. Moves like the addition of Delay are made to add depth at Triple-A and there will likely be more similar signings between now and spring training. At various times in 2025, Boston had experienced backstops Blake Sabol, Seby Zavala, Chadwick Tromp, Yasmani Grandal, Mark Kolozsvary and Ronaldo Hernández stashed in Worcester. Sabol was the only one who reached the majors.
Just Baseball Media’s Aram Leighton first reported the agreement on X.
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