The White Sox have announced the signing of catcher Omar Narváez to a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to major league spring training. The 32-year-old veteran, soon to turn 33, is represented by ISE Baseball.
Narváez’s career has been an unusual one. Initially known as a bat-first catcher with defensive concerns, he later transitioned into a solid defender with a less impactful bat. However, he struggled in both areas last season, spending most of the year in the minors.
From 2016 to 2019, while playing for the White Sox and Mariners, Narváez posted an impressive .276/.361/.411 slash line with a 113 wRC+. Yet, due to subpar defensive metrics, his overall value was limited to 3.1 wins above replacement (fWAR) across 353 games, according to FanGraphs. He improved defensively during his 2020–2022 stint with the Brewers, slashing .233/.318/.350 for an 84 wRC+ but generating 4.6 fWAR over 247 games, largely due to his defensive contributions.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Narváez signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Mets, which turned out poorly. A left calf strain sidelined him early in the season, limiting him to 49 games, during which he hit .211/.283/.297. Early in 2024, his struggles continued, producing a meager .154/.191/.185 line in 69 plate appearances. He was released in June and later signed a minor league deal with the Astros, where he batted .196/.325/.304 over 169 Triple-A plate appearances.
Despite his recent struggles, Narváez brings a history of past major league success, albeit not consistently in both offense and defense at the same time. For the White Sox, this signing provides a low-risk depth option for a team with limited catching experience. The current 40-man roster includes Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss. Lee, a former top prospect, has hit just .188/.227/.313 in his brief MLB career, while Thaiss, acquired in a cash deal last month, offers better offensive potential but is not known for his defensive skills.
The White Sox’s long-term hopes behind the plate likely rest with prospects Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel. Quero, acquired in the Lucas Giolito/Reynaldo López trade, and Teel, brought in through the Garrett Crochet deal, are both consensus top-100 prospects. However, neither has extensive Triple-A experience—Quero has played 26 games at that level, and Teel just 28. While both have the potential to make their MLB debuts in 2024, their immediate impact is uncertain. Narváez offers the team a veteran presence who can provide stability if the younger catchers face injuries or developmental hurdles.
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