With active rosters expanding from 26 to 28 today, the Red Sox are calling up right-hander Zack Kelly and catcher Ali Sánchez, per Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The latter had signed a minor league deal with the Mets just over a week ago but the Red Sox traded for him last night, per Healey. The Mets received cash in the deal, per Christopher Smith of MassLive. The Sox opened a 40-man spot for Sánchez by moving infielder Marcelo Mayer to the 60-day injured list, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.
At first blush, it might be a bit confusing that the Sox and Mets swung a trade after the deadline. However, as MLBTR explained last month, certain trades are still allowed. A player on a minor league contract which has not been selected to the majors can be traded. That’s true even if the player was in the majors earlier in the season via a different contract. Last year, for instance, Cavan Biggio played for the Dodgers. After being designated for assignment and released, he signed a minor league deal with the Giants. After the deadline, he was traded from the Giants to Atlanta.
The situation is basically the same with Sánchez, who has played for the Blue Jays and Red Sox in 2025. The Sox designated him for assignment a couple of weeks back. He cleared outright waivers, elected free agency and signed with the Mets. Since this Mets deal hadn’t been selected to the majors, he was eligible to be traded back to Boston. By being acquired last night, prior to September, he’s eligible to be on Boston’s postseason roster.
Sánchez will give the Sox a three-catcher setup for the final month of the season, joining Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong. Sánchez still has a fairly limited major league track record. He has appeared in four big league seasons but with just 47 total games played. In those contests, he has a .185/.222/.235 slash line.
However, he’s generally regarded as a strong fielder and his offensive numbers have been better in a larger sample of minor league playing time. From 2022 to the present, he has stepped to the plate 943 times at the Triple-A level with a .272/.348/.418 line. That translates to a 96 wRC+, which is 4% below league average but decent for a catcher, especially a backup catcher.
Wong is slashing just .189/.253/.231 on the season, so perhaps there’s a scenario where Sánchez plays himself into the #2 slot behind Narváez and cracks the postseason roster. For now, he’ll give the club a bit more cover for a potential injury while also giving the skipper a bit more freedom for in-game roster moves. Sánchez is out of options but has just over a year of service time and can therefore be retained beyond this season if he’s holding a roster spot at season’s end.
Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina, Imagn Images
Ali Sanchez’s Wild Ride
Bring back Kelly nice move Breslow another pitcher who can’t get batters out
His 3.65 FIP would suggest he pitched in some bad luck, although it’s a very small sample size. He was ok last year, though he walks too many.
Anyone that watches him pitch knows he’s crap. He’s been terrible this year, throwing meatballs down the middle isn’t bad luck, it’s bad command. It’s like when people tried to argue Alcala had a low era with the Sox because he gave up inherited runners.
Does it matter? The last pitcher is for mopping up. As for Sanchez, Wong has looked better of late but the key might be whether Sanchez can throw runners out should Narvaez not be in the game.
It’s a drag Criswell has been injured, He was fine both this year and last when they gave him the ball.
With Giolito a virtual lock to post over 140 innings,it will basically allow him to become a free agent. What type of contract will get him signed? Do the Sox offer him a competitive deal?. A couple of top performances in the playoffs could add some big numbers to a deal ….
He’s eligible for a qualifying offer so assuming they think hes worth that much (see bhueler)they will likely offer him that..he may accept in hopes of a longer term deal or he rejects and the sox collect a pick its still a win for both imo
Red Sox have plenty of starting pitching depth for 2026 (Sandoval, Dobbins, Crawford, Drohan, Fitts, Harrison, Criswell, Winckowski and Early; among others). I’d rather they go big game hunting than resign Giolito.
He’s had a really good run lately, but Woodruff, Bieber, Valdez or Cease would be an upgrade.
3/75
Was the pick for Pivetta this year or upcoming year?? Qualified offer than possibly seeing how the market is.. been very solid and at Fenway remarkable…
the pick was from this year
Henry Godbout at #75 was the pick. He was looking good early before suffering a hamstring injury.
Thanks gentlemen!!! Happy Labor Day!!
Agreed. Godbout is playing again and doing well.
3 for $75 million seems reasonable. Will the Sox offer that? Will some other team offer more?? He has been really good the last couple months. Would love to see him as our #4 behind Crochet,Bello ,?????? , Giolito,and then you have a plethora of arms to choose from. Pitching pitching pitching,can never have enough.
Cdchi… man haven’t been this stoked on Redsox home grown pitchers in a while.. future looks very good right now.. praying that Hicks has his Curtis Leskanic moment ( good outing) if needed on a deep run!!!
Now Kelly and Weissert can compete for “Who can the Sox trust the least?”.