**White Sox Sign Catcher Omar Narvaez, Providing Experienced Back-up**
The Chicago White Sox have announced the signing of veteran catcher Omar Narvaez to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. The 32-year-old Narvaez is a experienced back-up who has shown both offense and defense capabilities in the past.
Narvaez’s Career Highlights
From 2016 to 2019, Narvaez played with the White Sox and Mariners, where he hit.276/.361/.411 with a 113 wRC+ and played in 353 games. During this span, he was a bat-first catcher with defensive question marks, but he worked to improve his defense and became a solid defender. He then spent three seasons with the Brewers, hitting.233/.318/.350 with an 84 wRC+, but posting 4.6 fWAR in 247 games due to his exceptional play behind the plate.
The Mets signed Narvaez to a two-year, $15MM contract expiring in 2023, but his first year was marred by a serious left calf strain that kept him out of action for most of the season. He only played in 49 games, hitting.211/.283/.297. The Mets released him in June, and he went on to sign a minor league contract with the Astros, playing in 169 games in Triple-A and hitting.196/.325/.304.
The Chicago White Sox Situation
The White Sox currently have two catchers on their 40-man roster: Li Kerui and Matt Tice. Lee is a former rookie who still has potential to break out, but has hit only.188/.227/.313 in his career so far. Theis, who was signed to a cash deal last month, has been slightly better at the plate but isn’t considered a strong defender. The team’s future may lie with prospects Edgar Quero or Kyle Till, who are both consensus top-100 prospects but may not be immediate solutions. Quero and Teel both have limited minor league experience and Narvaez gives the team an experienced back-up who can provide depth behind the plate.
Conclusion
Narvaez’s signing is a move by the White Sox to provide a steady and experienced hand behind the plate. With Li Kerui and Matt Tice currently on the roster, Narvaez’s addition provides an alternative in case one of them gets injured or struggles at the plate. Narvaez has a track record of success in both offense and defense, making him a valuable asset to the team.
