The market for catcher Christian Vázquez is “heating up” and he’s making progress towards a deal, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Per Cotillo, it’s unclear if the Red Sox are still involved.
It appears that the dominos are falling in the catching market. The top free agent, Willson Contreras, was signed by the Cardinals a few days ago. Earlier today, the top trade option came off the board when Sean Murphy was traded to Atlanta. Now it seems that teams are quickly turning to Vázquez, generally considered the second-best free agent this offseason behind Contreras.
Now 32, Vázquez has been the primary backstop in Boston for most of the past few years, though he was traded to the Astros at the deadline in the most recent season. His bat has been up and down over his career but his work behind the plate has been praised fairly consistently. From 2014 to the present, he has posted 51 Defensive Runs Saved, which places him fifth among all backstops in the league. FanGraphs’ framing metric has given him a 60.5 in that same timeframe, good enough for sixth place.
While Vázquez is sure to provide solid work with the glove, his production with the bat is less certain. Over 2019 and 2020, he hit .278/.327/.472 for a wRC+ of 105. That seemed to be a nice breakout after a few years of more tepid work in the batter’s box. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to maintain it, dropping to a line of .265/.311/.374 over the past two years for a wRC+ of 87.
Regardless, he still was the second catcher on MLBTR’s list of the top 50 free agents for this offseason, getting predicted for a three-year deal worth $27MM. It was reported a few days ago that the Twins made him an offer, while he’s also been connected to the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Padres and Giants with plenty of other clubs surely interested as well. For any clubs that miss out on Vázquez, the remaining free agents would include Omar Narváez, Roberto Perez and Austin Hedges, while the trade market is now headlined by the Toronto of Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno.
allen592
Let’s go Twins!
RobM
No. It will be the mystery team. The mystery team, which is always the bridesmaid, will finally sign a player!
Fever Pitch Guy
Rob – Hopefully the mystery team’s uniform colors won’t clash with Vazquez’s glitter belt.
RobM
@Fever, well I’ll be darned. It appears the mystery team all these years was the Twins.
.
Once a mystery team, always a mysterymm
.
*mystery**
boastrogot
giants set at catcher
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
It’s the Twins
PiratesFan1981
You mean my Pirates sign one of the top catching crops in this free agency? Whew, that be something lol
Fever Pitch Guy
allen – Jon Heyman will get credit for being the first to report the wrong team that Vazquez is signing with.
allen592
Tristan Vázquez
boastrogot
triscuit varnish
Goin' to Sheetz
Orioles? Just kidding, Elias won’t see the value in regular rest and 1B at-bats to do that.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Doubt it. Adley is their guy.
Alkie
“We’re nearing a deal with Christian Vazquez.”
“What? WHO IS THIS?”
“HELLO?? WHO IS THIS???”
.
Unknown player nearing unknown deal with unknown team with unknown timeframe.
solaris602
You forgot to put BREAKING NEWS at the beginning of that.
Armaments216
Can’t wait for the big reveal, when his agent tells Vázquez where he signed.
.
Hahahahahhaha
This one belongs to the Reds
“Sorry wrong number.”
cpdpoet
Sorry to bother you, but is your refrigerator running…..?
.
That you Tolbert?!?!?!!
Knucksie
I *heard* this.
This one belongs to the Reds
The unknown team. Are they owned by the unknown comic?
aragon
the angels have kept silence when making a deal. us ince they reportedly offered cotreras 5 year deal it is natural to guess they are in on the second best.
Dbacks44
dbacks?
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Please be the cubs (praying hand emoji doesn’t work)
The Natural
My guess is the Cubs.
realsox
Why? Lots of teams need catching, so why are you guessing the Cubs?
The Natural
Hoyer has money and he may be getting desperate
Fever Pitch Guy
Logjammer – I take it you are a Cardinals fan?
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
F- No. Cubs all day.
Voice of Reason
The Cubs should try to upgrade at catcher. Gomes is better than Vazquez
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
He’s the best available right now. So why not try to sign him. I’d rather have Sean Murphy but he would’ve cost an arm and a leg with a 2 team trade. Braves gave up alot for him.
The Natural
Their game calling/D are about equal, but Vazquez is a better hitter in my view
richardc
I’m guessing it’s down to either Cleveland or San Diego, the D-backs could be the team that would bounce and trigger the trade right after Murphy was dealt though…
Javia135
Unknown team? Wait, where is AJ Preller?
CravenMoorehead
SAMSUNG LIONS GOING FOR IT
.
Sorry Craven. Puerto Rico is signing him to the national team for the WBC…Signing bonus + escalators.
CravenMoorehead
BUSTER OLNEY IS THAT YOU?!?!?!?! 😉
solaris602
Please, God, let it be Cleveland. We DO NOT want Hedges back!
CravenMoorehead
Don’t get your hopes up, Samsung Lions are about to acquire him.
OIC2021
Cleveland is “in” on Vasquez, but are expected to be 1st runner-up
solaris602
You’re probably right. I’m guessing Vazquez will get 3 years, and he’s made it clear he wants to be the starting C and not platoon. Naylor is definitely not ready yet, so Vazquez is a fit. What gives me hope is that CLE landed Josh Bell, and I never in a million years thought they’d pull that off.
angelsfan4life
You can have Matt Stassi for a bag of peanuts
solaris602
Stassi fell off a cliff last year, so I think I’ll hold on to the peanuts
solaris602
Nope, and I shudder to think who they’ll pivot to now.
Simm
My guess is the padres. They have been mentioned on him. Seems like a preller type of guy.
This one belongs to the Reds
I’m sure they were “in on” him after the signing is announced.
solaris602
Isn’t Campusano about ready to take over that position?
Simm
Yes but I just don’t think they want to basically go with a rookie. Too much on the line for the Padres this year. I could see campy and even Kim traded to the twins.
Pads Fans
Even though his defense and game calling improved tremendously in 2022, Campy is a bat first catcher. He would just move to primary DH and backup catcher.
Simm
I like campy and I think his catching is good enough. Just needs playing time to see if his bat can handle mlb pitching.
This one belongs to the Reds
Does Nick Krall not want Uncle Bob to know he is spending money?
TennVol
Guessing AZ or Twins
BuyBuyMets
He has said playing for a winner is a priority so I’d say neither.
differentbears
Those are both known teams though.
The Big Yo
Whoever penned this article needs a brain scan!! Murphy was easily the best catcher option on the market. Apparently he was the THIRD best . What more do you need I’m a player let alone a catcher. Incredibly cheap for a baller like Murphy, controlled for 3 seasons, mashes bombs, phenomenal defense and almost 3 years experience
agnes gooch
The Big Yo-that isn’t very nice to say about Darragh McDonald, he seems like a nice fellow.
yogineely
Atl homer or oak homer?
Pads Fans
Reading comprehension is not your thing apparently.
“Now it seems that teams are quickly turning to Vázquez, generally considered the second-best free agent this offseason behind Contreras.”
Notice the FREE AGENT part of that sentence?
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Big Yo is wrong
The article says Willson Contreras was the best free agent.
Murphy was NOT a free agent.
PatsFanatic83
‘generally considered the second-best FREE AGENT this offseason behind Contreras.’
‘The top FREE AGENT, Willson Contreras, was signed by the Cardinals a few days ago.’
‘Earlier today, the top TRADE OPTION came off the board when Sean Murphy was traded to Atlanta.’
Huh, in a generally meh article, somehow your ability to read was 1000% worse than the ability of the poster to write the article.
How bout that. Turns out reading compheremension is better for cranial health then a brain scan.
Rishi
Braves
abc123baseball
Or Brewers
Henry Silvestre
Its San Diego.. he has been spotted in Poway
Pads Fans
Looking for a house?
Simm
Wants to be xanders roommate
Pads Fans
Maybe a house next to Manny Machado in Coronado. Have you seen that place? Just wow!
fearthecub
My guess is Guardians. Since they lost out on Murphy.
Thomar
The Expos?
Robertowannabe
Buccos!! They are looking for a vet.
baseballpun
And they’re unknown!
Robertowannabe
Guys sitting around looking at the roster—“Who the hell are these guys?/’
Astrosfn1979
I heard Astros getting close about an hour ago.
HalosHeavenJJ
Wishful thinking…we were in on Contreras, hopefully in on Vasquez.
Lookat Me
Guardians!
YourDreamGM
Unknown team I think Pittsburgh. Oh yeah they do have a team. Every 20 years they have a 3 year playoff window.
PadreFan19
LFGSD
sliderwithcheeze
Headed to Toronto.
orange2001
Angels? They did reportedly make an offer to Willson Contreras.
User 2079935927
Exactly. Stassi will be shown the door if they sign Vasquez.
Pads Fans
He would be a good fit there. Would not require a long term deal, is a good game caller, and can hit a bit.
Hoping he ends up a Padre, but the Angels would make sense.
wright0525
Tigers!!
wright0525
I see the Tigers as the mystery team.
wright0525
Could it be the Tigers???
wright0525
Not sure why it kept forcing me to resubmit my post. Excuse the additional post.
Edp007
At least two teams close to signing , the unknown team and the mystery team are putting in final bids.
Surprise team though is waiting in the bushes ready to pounce.
Watch
bravesfan
“Unknown team”. It’s the Braves… Braves work in the dark and also are apparently in the mood to make transactions that don’t make a lot of sense
brat922
Come on Giants!!
CubsWS2016
Cubs
Four4fore
Nationals
Elwood
Has to be the Pirates – any sports writer with self respect would never publish the Pirates as a suitor out of fear of the comments section. The Bucs are only 8 players away from contention – and this would make it only 7. Let’s go Bucs !
hiflew
Practically every other team has been mentioned, so I’ll just say…C’mon Rockies. Vazquez would not only become the best catcher on the team, he would become arguably the best catcher in the history of the franchise almost immediately. When Chris Iannetta is #1, with very little argument otherwise,, the position has never been a strength for the team.
30 Parks
Blake Swihart might have a shot to make the Red Sox roster this year. Vazquez is a ball player – hope he gets a good deal on a contender.
cpdpoet
Heard Brockstar was seen donning the gear…..
30 Parks
… Carlos Quintana is already in Fort Myers – reported early.
Pads Fans
Thought I heard that he is the baseball coach at the high school he went to.
ElGaupo77
Pirates?!?!
Cleon Jones
Chinuchi Dragons will strike again.
Icarus.
He was just seen in Poway, a suburb of SD, neighborhood of Tony Gwynn.
WSnotAstros2017
Hoping not the Astros. He did not do anything with us even after deadline deal. What makes them think if more frontline catcher will be any better. But guess ASTROS will take tiny offense again as he hits singles. Over Maldy. I know Houston was looking at Barnhart. After Contreras went to Cards. Maybe talked it over with Maldy and Vazquez and they both liked plan from Houston. But we shall see maybe before night end or early tomorrow where he goes. I would love Vázquez if had more offense. He will probably be higher in lineup. 7 or 8 in lineup and use someone that could hit before Altuve. Just thinking if the team is Houston.
Astrosfn1979
Astros don’t care about offense from catcher
hiflew
They don’t need to.
OaklandA'sFan!
Vazquez to the Guardians 3 year deal worth 33 Million.
OaklandA'sFan!
is my guess
Gator Bait
Can’t see that amount of years, or money for Cleveland. Especially with Bo Naylor in AAA currently. Feeling an Austin Hedges reunion.
phenomenalajs
I’m not understanding how they come up with the wRC+ rating here. How could Vazquez’s slash line for 2019-2020 result in a 105 while the .236/.326/.429 shown in the article about Murphy gets a 116 rating?
Pads Fans
Its park adjusted. . .755 OPS in the OCC is really good
Old York
This is kind of strange. So, he’s negotiating with a team but he doesn’t know which team? I guess if you can get max money, it really doesn’t matter if you’re playing for the Pirates or the Astros.
Randy Red Sox
If he is willing to sign a 1 yr deal for under 5 million Chaim Bloom MIGHT be interested.
Rsox
Jon Heyman also reports that an unknown team is interested in an unnamed player
Cmurphy
I’m sure he knows, the press doesn’t.
LosPobres1904
Padres!!!
Ghost Pepper
I like him ok but that mystery team will overspend and soon regret.
Sox let him go for a reason , not wanting to pay him what another team desperate for a catcher , is likely the answer. Buyer beware.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Twins
AL34
Vazquez signed with the Minnesota Twinkees. Bloom is waiting for BARGAINS to fall or his BARGAIN Prospects that more than likely will tank. The other GMs know this guy is a clown. He is not being aggressive on pitching, outfield help, a shortstop to replace Bogaerts, have no idea where Story is playing, a DH, a first baseman and a catcher. Please do not tell me you are going with Hosmer and Dalbac or hand first base over to Casas. This team is dead with this clown as a GM. I am hoping this is his last year. His mess will take 5 years for the next GM to fix.
dombrowski
Primary backup huh? Let’s get it together fella.
dombrowski
Primary backup huh? Let’s get it together fella
AL34
Who is going to start at catcher the guy who got caught indecent exposure in Florida or Wong who cannot hit ? What is the pitching plan ? A 44 year old Hill again? Wacha? Depend on Chris Sale who has not pitched consistently since 2018 when he missed half the season? Get back Eovaldi? Depend on Houck coming back from back surgery? Take Whitlock out of the bulllrn and make him a starter again ? How Henry is not looking at this mess Bloom has made of this team or maybe he is happy with it? Unreal what has happened to this franchise under this guy. They jerk around their own homegrown players Betts and Bogaerts and soon to be Devers.
Stan Papi
Sox have signed long passed Bob Montgomery to be their primary catcher in the next season. Monty has been dead for years but his financial demands are inline with John Henry’s expectations.
This team with the highest ticket prices in the league is putting out a putrid product. Spend your hard earned money to visit the stadium soaked not in history more likely urine.
Long standing sox fan hoping they finish is last as long as Chaim dollar store Bloom and John Henry the c you next Tuesday control the team.
AL34
That would be too much money for Bloom.
rememberthecoop
I’ll guess the Twins.