The White Sox brought Omar Narváez back on a minor league contract. The deal was announced by their Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, where the veteran catcher has been assigned.
Narváez had elected free agency on Monday after being outrighted off Chicago’s major league roster. He’d spent a week in the big leagues after the Korey Lee injury, appearing in four games as the backup behind Matt Thaiss. He went 2-7 with a couple walks. The Sox called up well-regarded prospect Edgar Quero on Thursday, pushing Narváez out in the process.
It’s common for players to re-sign on a fresh minor league deal after rejecting an outright assignment. Narváez seemed like a candidate to look elsewhere, as the Sox don’t have a great path to playing time behind the plate. Quero should get regular playing time, while Thaiss is out of options and cannot be sent down without going on waivers. Top prospect Kyle Teel is the starter in Charlotte, leaving Narváez to work as his backup in the minors.
Narváez is clearly comfortable with the situation. He spent the first three years of his big league career with the Sox between 2016-18. He developed into a solid #1 catcher for the Mariners and Brewers thereafter, though his production has tanked over the past few seasons. He owns a .201/.278/.286 slash line since the start of 2022.
Welcome back, Kotter. Welcome back Welcome back Welcome back.
If anything, Chris Getz seems to be way more active in the market than Rick Hahn ever was. With a reduced payroll no less.
Kinda like the puppy chasing its tail to little avail
At minimum he’s ain’t KW nor have the same ideas or mindset than his predecessors.
‘2nd verse, same as the first’
By the way, ‘Productive in the market’ means nothing if you are simply always bringing back the same guys you released.
Also, Im not sure if Getz has any mindset. At least when KW or Hahn released a guy, typically they were gone. Not back with the team 1-2 days later. That seems to be Getz MO. Its also why I have little faith in any rebuild with him at the helm (well ‘him’ apparently being Reinsdorf).
I understand your pessimistic views.
If they hit .200, that would be an improvement. Yesterday Amay, the starting shortstop, was hitting about .089.
Should have chose free agency. Could have been signed within weeks. like Nicky Lopez.
I would think that Narvaez has an upward mobility clause in his contract. Even if he does not, If some other team shows up in a few weeks asking for him, I’m sure the White Sox would let him go.
Naraez the new Molinas? A family of catchers?
MLB should change its rostering rules so this silliness of releasing a player and then resigning him to a minor-league contract, which has become endemic, goes away. There ought to be a taxi squad of sorts for marginal veterans.
Good Luck to him- I think this is the one position the Sox do have some young talent in!!
Welcome back to the minors!