The Boston Red Sox have signed catcher Riley Adams to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training, marking their first offseason move as they look to bolster depth behind their current catching tandem. Adams, 30, joins a roster currently led by Adley Rutschman, the anticipated starting catcher when healthy, and Connor Wong, the incumbent backup.
Adams, who spent the 2026 season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, is aiming to return to the major leagues after spending the past year entirely in the minors. Over parts of five major league seasons with the Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays, Adams posted a career batting line of .211/.287/.354. In 2026, he showed signs of improvement in Triple-A by hitting .273 with a .389 on-base percentage and .506 slugging, including career highs of 16 home runs and 15 doubles.
The Red Sox have expressed interest in Adams' offensive upside and noted improvements in his defensive game under a new player development staff led by Paul Toboni, formerly with the Red Sox and now the Nationals’ front office. Adams also carries a positive reputation within baseball circles, which factored into Boston’s decision to bring him into their organization.
In a recent interview, Adams said the opportunity to earn a major league role was a central reason for his decision. “Everyone’s goal is to get to the big leagues and contribute at the big league level, and I don’t think I would have signed with the Red Sox if me or my agent or anybody thought there wasn’t a lane to — if I go out and earn it — be a big leaguer again,” he stated.
The Red Sox’s catching situation features Rutschman, who has battled injuries extensively over the past two seasons, missing time due to an elbow issue late last year and multiple stints on the injured list since 2025. Wong, meanwhile, posted a .233 batting average with a .655 OPS in 2026, showing some offensive progression but still leaving room for Boston to explore alternatives.
Adams views the timing of his signing in October as advantageous, providing him with nearly a full season to familiarize himself with the organization before spring training begins. Since signing, he has engaged in conversations with Boston’s coaching and training personnel as he prepares to compete for a roster spot.
The catcher’s connection to the Red Sox extends back to his time in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he first visited Fenway Park in 2016 during a workout for the Orleans Firebirds. He later experienced the major league atmosphere at Fenway as a Blue Jays rookie in 2021, recalling the memorable moment when the crowd erupted singing “Sweet Caroline” during a road game against Boston, cementing his appreciation for the ballpark and its fans.
Elsewhere within the organization, the Red Sox are set to lose David Besky, their director of baseball sciences, who is departing for a role with the Nationals. Besky joined Boston in 2023 after being hired away from Driveline, a prominent baseball analytics and training firm.
The addition of Adams reflects Boston’s intent to add competition and depth at catcher as they enter the 2027 season, while navigating uncertainties around health and performance behind the plate.