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The Boston Red Sox have made an early offseason move, parting ways with a catcher who had been with the organization for six years. On October 15, the club released 24-year-old backstop Juan Montero, as reflected on his official MiLB.com profile.
The catching position has been a persistent issue for the Red Sox in recent years, but the team addressed it by acquiring Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles before the 2026 trade deadline. With the 2027 season on the horizon, Boston is in its best catching situation in years, at least at the major league level. Behind Rutschman, however, questions remain. Connor Wong currently serves as the backup, though he was the subject of trade rumors last summer. Beyond those two, the minor league depth is thin.
Montero's Journey
Montero's time in the Red Sox system was marked by perseverance. He made his professional debut in 2021 and played in 138 total games over six seasons, slashing .209/.337/.302 with two home runs and 48 RBIs. Despite those modest numbers, he worked his way up to Triple-A, putting him just one step away from the big leagues. In 2026, he appeared in only five games for Triple-A Worcester, bouncing on and off the Development List. When he did play, he slashed .200/.333/.200 with a run scored.
His release removes a catcher with at least some Triple-A experience, however limited. Currently, Rutschman and Wong are the only catchers on the Red Sox's 40-man roster. The organization lacks a catcher who could realistically contribute near the majors. Boston's top catching prospect is Gerardo Rodriguez, ranked No. 24 overall in the system, who has not played above High-A. Luke Heyman is the second-highest-rated catching prospect at No. 25 and also has yet to advance past High-A.
Key Analysis
The Red Sox need more catching depth, not less. Moving on from Montero eliminates a backstop who has at least reached Triple-A, even if only briefly. This winter, Boston must add more depth at the Triple-A level. Furthermore, the move underscores why extending Rutschman should be a priority. He is a top-five catcher in the game, and there is little behind him in the organization. The Red Sox cannot afford to let his situation linger unresolved.