Astros catcher Christian Vazquez will be a free agent this off-season, and has indicated his biggest priority will be finding a team willing to hand him the starting job.
Vazquez, 32, started 24 of a possible 58 matches after being traded from the Red Sox to Houston for minor leaguers Wilyer Abreu and Enmanuel Valdez on deadline day. The team usually opts for Martin Maldonado to catch Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Lance McCullers, meaning starts for Vazquez haven’t been as plentiful as in Boston.
“It was hard and it’s still hard,” Vazquez told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. “But I’ll be a free agent after the postseason and I can choose where I want to go. Everybody knows that.”
The Puerto Rico native had been with the Red Sox since being drafted in the ninth round in 2008, and had been their starting catcher since 2018. He put together a combined .262/.311/.389 line during his time in Boston, and graded out as an above-average catcher defensively. His bat and ball skills are well measured, but he’s also widely regarded as a strong leader and positive clubhouse presence, too. Vazquez’ offensive numbers dropped significantly after the trade, and he hit just .250/.278/.308 across 108 plate appearances, but given the sudden drop in playing time perhaps it’s forgivable that Vazquez struggled to find consistency initially. Nonetheless, he’ll figure to do well in free agency as one of the better catchers available.
Bat-first catcher Willson Contreras headlines the catching free agents, but Vazquez is arguably the second best option available. With Maldonado under contract in Houston for another year, it seems likely that Vazquez will look for a new team to give him the playing time he seeks. While almost any team could do with a well-rounded catcher like Vazquez, a return to the Red Sox would be something he’d welcome.
“I hope so. I’d love it. It was my [house] for a long time,” Vázquez said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Reese McGuire impressed down the stretch for the Red Sox, but Kevin Plawecki is a free agent and Connor Wong struggled in his small sample of playing time so the Red Sox do figure to be active in the catching market this off-season. Ultimately though, with the Mets, Twins, Rays, Cardinals, Brewers, Guardians, and White Sox among the contending teams that could be seeking upgrades at the position Vazquez is likely to have plenty of interest.
Whah
pbfog – Looks like Vaz will be riding the bench for most of the rest of the postseason. He’s played in only 2 of their 5 playoff games, and none of their ALCS games.
BTW – I hafta give credit to Simon for the subtle shots with “widely” regarded and “well-rounded”. I literally LMAO at those two comments!
Kevin Plawecki was already released by the Red Sox, so the fact that he’s a free agent is irrelevant to them.
Also – “It was my [house] for a long time.”
What word did he say in place of ‘house’?
I’m guessing “casa,” but I’m hoping he said “hizzy to da hiz-house.”
I was thinking crib.
Hahaha!
Cut the rookie writer some slack.
Peter Abraham has been a writer for the Boston Globe for years
Was referring to hampton the mlbtr columnist who thinks plawecki is still with the Red sox
Maybe $h!+hole?
Plawecki would be great with the Orioles.
It was my dirty water for a long time.
I can see multiple contenders wanting him but not sure he gets the full time starting role. Back to the Sox?
Why wouldn’t he? Only contender with a better catcher is the Dodgers and maybe Toronto, especially given their depth.
Thanks for the laugh hes average at best.
You’re below average, at best.
Phillies, Mariners, orioles, perhaps the Yankees but that’s up for debate
Average he may be, but I can’t imagine some of this season’s playoff teams- Rays, Guardians, Mariners, Mets, Yanks, Cards, not possibly benefiting from his services.
Forgot the Phillies with JT. O’s obviously, but he’s a rookie. so I didn’t count him.
Maybe casa, maybe an expletive.
Plawecki was already released and is now on the Rangers
It’s a free site stop complaining
It’s a free site, and yankees500 is providing free editing
I was sure impressed by how well Reese McGuire was yanking it!
Reese really spanked the ball with the Sox. You really can’t beat his effort.
With all eyes on him at Fenway he just went ahead and did his thing like no one was watching
Nobody chokes up on the bat better than reese
Hello Pirates, oh wait probably cost too much.
I was thinking Twins. No way Jeffers is your starting catcher if you want to win the division.
Was thinking the same thing
Curious for catching where will Houston look for catching. I do not blame Vazquez and wanting a team where can be the front catcher. For Houston I would want someone with offense and a great back up. Maldy will start. But who knows as season went.I do not see the catchers we have making the grade for next in line. I also see with Framber and McCullers Maldy catching them. Also if Hunter makes the rotation for Houston who would catch him. Where will Verlander be as well if opts out.
I do wish Vazquez good luck. Just was not fitting here even with offense. Hopefully goes to a team that can contend or even back to Boston. Doubt wanted to leave
WSnotAstros2017;
Cory Lee may be back.
They were patient with Kyle Tucker, kept working with him. That’s turned out well.
Am sure they’ll find a backup. Orioles will probably let Robinson Chirinos and/or Cam Gallagher go.
Disagree. Vazquez has fit in well. Good bat, great defense, cheery disposition. The guy just needs a few more at bats to stay sharp. I hope he resigns for 2yrs w an option. Kory Lee clearly did not make a good impression but give him a year and he could backup Vazquez in 2024 when Maldy leaves
Ah, the offseason….
Mets – Does he go there knowing that they want Francisco Álvarez to take over as soon as he can grow into it?
Twins – an article yesterday stated that they were looking for a LH hitting catcher to share the role with Ryan Jeffers. But the Twins are the Twins….
Rays – Very good possibility. Like everything else they do, it’ll depend on the money he wants.
Cardinals – Sort of like the Mets. Does he go to a team that wants another player to be their primary catcher?
Brewers – Very good possibility. Brewers put a priority on catchers that can handle a pitching staff as well as hit some.
Guardians – See Mets, insert Bo Naylor for Francisco Álvarez.
White Sox – He would be great for them. But they owe Yasmani Grandal $18m and no team is MLB is taking that unless the Sox attach one or two very good, inexpensive players. They have 2 young catcher’s that are making low salaries, and they need to cut payroll.
Why would he express his discontent while his team is still in the playoffs? Kind of a stupid move.
So you expect him to lie or not answer the question… it is the American way…right?
I wouldn’t say marketing yourself is ever a stupid move. It may raise a few eye brows in the locker room though.
He is just being honest and not following status quo of vague- follow the sheep media answers. I appreciate it
What he said is fine but the timing is selfish bs he’s not a team player and not well liked. He could have waited 2-3 weeks what an egomaniac
He probably won’t be getting too much playing time the rest of the way. Been like that since he got to Houston
I’d like to see him back with the RS. His adventures in Houston likely reduced his negotiating leverage a little. He’s a good platoon fit McGuire, and Wong is still a question mark.
He probably fits with us about as much as anyone, without breaking the bank.
Joe – If Vazquez is fine with one year plus an option, it probably works.
Guess it depends on how they feel about Wong and Hernandez. If they don’t have faith in either of those two panning out maybe they circle back to Him? Reese will take the other roster spot.
Reduced leverage? He’s been a great addition to a championship caliber team. Nothing negative
I loved the Christian Vazquez saga this year…..
The national baseball media that’s headquartered in the industrial NE, knows nothing about how the sport is played and thinks anyone that plays with the Yankees or Red Sox is automatically better than they are – handled the Vazquez trade perfectly.
Knowing from rotisserie league that the only thing that counts with catcher is how much he hits – since anyone can sit back there and catch pitches, they figured out that the Astros were trying to make an upgrade at catcher for the playoffs because Martin Maldonado doesn’t hit well. In fact. ESPN immediately put Vazquez in as the Astros stating catcher on their depth chart, moving Maldonado to backup.
Everyone that follows the Astros knew that Vasquez was there as a backup to spell Maldonado in late-August / September, and serve as a possible starter in the playoffs were Maldonado to suffer a major injury.
It’s amazing how people think all teams have the same baseball philosophies and play the game the same way. Then they look at publicly available statistics and grade players against one another….never factoring in what their role was with their team, and how they were being used.
–
It was also fun to read comments here from Red Sox fans that lambasted Vazquez – he’s fat, he can’t run, etc. – all season until the day he was traded…..then the comments changed to condemning Bloom for trading such a valuable player.
P.S. Reading this chatroom board is more entertaining than anything on TV or radio!
Normally I’m with you regarding east coast bias. But he’s a solid catcher – strong defensively, good leader and hits well. What am I missing?
coop – What are you missing?
1) All the stats I’ve posted here that prove he’s a statistically poor defensive catcher.
2) All the articles that highlighted the many Sox pitchers who didn’t like him catching them
3) All the Catcher ERA stats that prove pitchers pitch better when he’s not catching them
4) All the articles reporting the Red Sox tried to dump him prior to the season by trading for Stallings.
5) The fact that he was the ONLY starter and position player dumped at the trade deadline even though they still planned to contend.
6) All the mental errors he’s made over the past few seasons.
7) The fact they had to bring in Sandy Leon for 10 games in the 2018 postseason because they didn’t trust Vaz’s catching.
He’s a smart baserunner, he’s a decent hitter for a catcher, and he’s got a solid arm. But right now he’ll have a hard time being the primary catcher for a contending team.
I’m not impressed.
I’ve watched the Astros all season and have been impressed with everything Vazquez has brought to the field. Hope he resigns
I hope so too
“Matches”?
Ya like a matchup between two teams. I would’ve used games but matchup isn’t that bad in that context
Matchup is legit. Matches is not.
I would argue he’s the top catcher in FA. Sure, Willson is the better hitter but not by very much. Overall, I’d rather have Vasquez and I’m a Cubs fan who appreciates Willson’s passion.
If he played better he could’ve passed maldonado on the depth chart but both him and Mancini haven’t really lived up to their names in Houston
That’s absurd. Vazquez has been wonderful in his role. If you followed the Astros, you’d know he wasn’t going to get much time at catcher
I do follow the Astros actually. Almost all of his hits has been singles (26 total hits: 3 doubles, 1 homer, 22 singles) good for a -.2 war on offense .3 war on defense. So my point still stands had he played better he would’ve taken over as the starting catcher. Think it might be time to retire from posting old timer
Watching him play it’s obvious he’s a solid defender. His at bats have been solid. FFS he’s even batted 5th and 6th in the lineup. Not sure what you’ve been watching or “following”, errr… reading box scores..but stats don’t tell everything kiddo
Heat – You are 100% correct. Vazquez is a familiar name because he has been in the postseason for half his career, and because he played in Boston. His performance isn’t how his name became familiar.
Samuel is right, some players get overhyped because they play in Boston. Vazquez is a perfect example of this.
Bucs!
If I’m a team I’m crossing him off. Your un the playoffs and your going to complain, that tells me you aren’t smart and very selfish thinking about only yourself. I want team players that are humble. He has plenty of time after the season to talk. This guy is obviously a loose Canon in a clubhouse.
Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Milwaukee, maybe Miami, or back to Boston could all be possible
He’s so underrated. He just wants to play. Wish they didn’t trade him.
Red Sox forever.
Vazquez has been ok with the Stros, but done nothing to unseat Maldonado. Maldonado’s defense and pitch framing is much better and he always gets key hits and RBIs. Vazquez has been a good add, better than going with one of two rookies, Korey Lee or Yainer Diaz. But Lee hit 25 HRs in AAA and is considered a solid defensive catcher, and Diaz led the Stros system in hitting. One or both of those guys will backup Maldonado next year. But for this year Vazquez is fine. The Stros will not attempt to re-sign him.
I can definitely see him back in Boston. Hope that’s where he ends up
Lol the only way that happens is if bff Cora replaces bloom
Red Sox don’t need him unless he comes on the cheap in a short contract. McGwire was just fine as the primary catcher.
The Cardinals are a good fit for the Molina protégé. How could that not make sense?.
Pirates:
-Playing time
-Relatively inexpensive and short term
-Bridge to Endy and Davis
-Cherington ties
-Clemente’s team
Stop it. The. Red. Sox. Do. Not. Want. Him. Back.
why not?
Christian Vasquez was an absolute asset to the Red Sox. Do you blame him for wanting more playing time when he went from playing all the time and being consistent to what he has seen on the Astros. (By the way the majority of the fans comments on the Astros page want him to get more playing time) How is he being selfish? He only played a few months on this team and he barely has any playing time in the postseason. It is only logical he seeks a team in need of a starting position. He is not being a CRY BABY as some of these ***** are posting!! By the way he told Peter Abraham Reporter that the Red Sox was his house for a long time there is no explicit.This articles reporter got 2nd hand information! Red Sox fans know what Vasqy brought every time he played… heart and hustle!!! If anybody knows better he ACTUALLY says, of course not posted by this reporter, hes not worried about trades right now he wants to get in another World Series with the team he is currently on, that’s not selfish at all!