The Red Sox have picked up their club option on catcher Christian Vazquez for the 2022 season. Under the terms of Vazquez’s original three-year, $13.55MM extension with the Sox, he will receive $7MM next year, and 2022 is now his last year under team control. The club option included a $250K buyout, making it a $6.75MM decision for the Red Sox.
There wasn’t much doubt that the veteran would be back for his eighth year in Boston, as the Red Sox highly value Vazquez’s veteran leadership, his ability to work with pitchers and his overall glovework. Vazquez’s bat has been much more inconsistent, as while he has had some strong seasons (most notably his 2019-20 campaigns), he has also been a below-average hitter on multiple occasions. After batting .278/.327/.472 with 30 homers over 710 plate appearances in 2019-20, for example, Vazquez’s offense fell off sharply this season, as he hit only .258/.308/.352 with six homers in 498 PA.
Given how the catcher has rebounded from subpar performances in the past, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Vazquez rebound in 2022. Even if he hits only a little better next year, Boston probably wouldn’t mind as long as Vazquez continues his good work behind the plate. Vazquez’s extension (signed in March 2018) has proven to be a very nice investment for the Red Sox, and at the cost of $7MM, Vazquez is still a very solid value for one season. Kevin Plawecki hit decently well in backup duty last year, and he will also return to potentially add a little more pop at the catching position in 2022.
It wouldn’t even be a surprise to see the Red Sox discuss another extension with Vazquez come Spring Training, though the team does have some future options in the pipeline. Connor Wong made his MLB debut this past season and Ronaldo Hernandez is expected to debut in 2022, so the Red Sox could wish to give either of those younger backstops a longer look next year. Or, if the Sox did look to extend Vazquez, one of these catching prospects (or 2021 fifth-rounder Nathan Hickey) could be plausible trade chips.
This was an obvious outcome, and I would be surprised if he does not try to resign in 2023 even for a reduced amount as he has been in the Red Sox organization since 2008 (currently longest tenured on team).
I would be a bit surprised by a long term deal. He is a well below average bat on the wrong side of 30, so he won’t be able to counteract the inevitable defensive regression that comes form age. I know Plawecki isn’t a great fielder, but I wonder what kind of offensive numbers he could put up if he was given 400+ PAs. I guess I may never get to see it.
I would like to see Vaz come back after next season as either the backup, since Plawecki is a FA, or maybe start for a year or two more then move to backup
He’s a catcher I think the Red Sox value him for his work behind the dish not his bat. I bet a bunch of teams would love to have this guy. Not every catcher is Salvador Perez. I’d take him over most catchers in the league at this point.
Agreed and for KP, he simply is not a good enough catcher for more ABs. He’s a phenomenal bench player for pinch hitting duties. Not enough power to put up with how fast runners steal in him with ease. Also, full time ABs might expose his bat faults. Mets’ fans know him well
Sal Perez wasn’t always Sal Perez.
Not sure where you heard Plawecki isn’t a good fielder… anyway, Vazquez isn’t terrible on offense. He had a bad year offensively but he’s had shines of brilliance on offense and was pretty clutch in the postseason.
No brainer
After holding Vazquez just 4 PA’s short of a million dollar bonus, they really had no choice.
Funny the Sox justified the option in part because of his “ability to work with pitchers” when several pitchers have publicly indicated in the past that they prefer throwing to someone else.
Ask Eovaldi for instance, who prefers having Plawecki as his personal catcher.
Eovaldi publicly said he doesn’t prefer pitching to Vazquez? When?You have “several” others who have “publicly” stated this too, who? And when?
Hope your not basing this on the simple fact that Plaweski catches him. Many teams have been lining up a certain catch to a certain pitcher for years. 1) it gives starter a rest, 2) they get on good signal calling terms.
denny – The last time we interacted, you falsely accused me of “making up” a bunch of information about the Mookie negotiations. When I offered to make a deal, I provide the proof that I was right and you disappear for a while, you chickened out and ran away.
I’m not gonna play that game with you anymore. I know when I provide sources and links, you’ll just ignore them and move on to some other article without apologizing.
Eovaldi never said that and even if he did who the F is he to demand a personal catcher? Dude’s had one good year in his career not sure he’s in any position to want a personal catcher.
It’s not all that uncommon to have a personal catcher. Years ago the Sox re-acquired Doug Mirabelli and used a police escort to get him to the game on time, just so he could catch Wakefield.
There’s a reason why Sandy Leon was the top Sox catcher for years despite not being able to hit his way out of a paper bag. Both Chris Sale and Rick Porcello raved about wanting Leon behind the plate, and their catcher ERA’s were shockingly disproportionate between Vazquez and Leon.
“several pitchers have publicly indicated in the past they prefer throwing to someone else”
Dude, get a new hobby. Your posts are trash.
Dude, see the word “Mute” under my posts?
Use it.
“Boston will probably wouldn’t mind…” Ummm…what?
Wow you’re so clever. You found a typo. Your IQ must be in the 130s
If you’re going to call out someone’s IQ, you should probably use the correct punctuation when doing so.
I iz smart. I tipe gud. u dumdum poopoo pantz
No-brainer. The Catcher position is thin and unless you are going to shell out a prospect haul for Contreras there is nothing to go out and get
There’s other options, but he’s a favorite of Cora so not much can be done.
What other options?
Tucker Barnhart was already traded. Yankees would never trade Sanchez to the Red Sox (and i would hope the Sox wouldn’t want him). Maybe Stallings from the Pirates, but is he really an upgrade over Vazquez?
Free agency has Yan Gomes, Roberto Perez, and a bunch of career backups and guys at the end of the line (Suzuki, Mathis)
So really there are no other options
Rsox – Really poor timing to question Stallings’ defense right before he was named a GG winner. LOL
FWIW – Fangraphs has Stallings ranked #5 in MLB.
Vazquez is ranked 22nd.
Stallings will be 32 next month, there’s no point in the Pirates holding onto him if he’ll be closer to 40 than 30 by the time they are ready to contend.
Fever Pitch Guy3 hours ago
There’s other options,
===============================
If someone mentions there are other options, but doesn’t’ mention the other options, I always suspect that there are ‘there aren’t any other options.
But just for fun , tell us who the better options are.
Joe – What’s the point of taking the extra time to list out all the other options, when most everyone will either ignore the list or criticize their offense or insist it will “never happen”.
You DO realize the Sox can trade for a catcher, right? Or did you immediately jump to the conclusion that only free agents could be acquired?
Stallings, Maldonado, Trevino, Hedges, Diaz
Is that enough for now? FTR I don’t get paid to write lengthy responses here. LOL
It was no brainer period there are very few options in a very very weak free agent class. There are even fewer options in trades maybe you can trade for Contreras but he is going to cost an arm and a leg. No it was a decision you could call with braille.
Maybe they could pry Stallings away from Pittsburgh but he would cost a lot a solid catcher that is just becoming arb eligible and not a free agent until 2025. No way Bloom is going to guy the farm when there is a perfectly solid catcher that they can have for 7 million like I said no brainer.
I never questioned Stallings defense, i merely asked if he’s really an upgrade over Vazquez.
No brainer is right. Bloom is certainly not going to use the capital on the farm for a minor upgrade at catcher. Especially when there are a couple of prospects looking to prove themselves soon.
If the fact that we can trade for a catcher means there are other options, then there are other options for every position on every team.
You can’t operate like that. You can’t decline a reasonable option on a player, at a position that is thin league-wide, because you’re hoping that someone will be nice enough to trade their catcher to you.
Over the past three years, Vazquez is the #8 catcher in BB, according to FG. $7.5M is a bargain.
grnmtbaseball
Bloom is certainly not going to use the capital on the farm for a minor upgrade at catcher.
================================
This is something that so many fans get wrong. Whether you are buying a FA, or trading for a premier player, the objective is to get the best player you can, to replace the WORST player on your team. If someone is trading to replace a .700 OPS with a .730 OPS, it is a ridiculous waste of resources.
A guy like Stallings might cost Casas++. If I am starting to convert minor leaguers into veterans, I’d be looking to acquire an ace, not looking to replace my .692 OPS with a .702 OPS, even with better defense.
I agree Joe. It’s silly to think that Bloom would not exercise the option and go trade valuable assets for another catcher that isn’t much of an upgrade and Bloom isn’t stupid.
This offseason should be interesting if I was Bloom I would go all out to sign Raisel Iglesias he would do a couple of things. He would lock down the closers role he would allow Whitlock and Houck to be stretched out as starters thus lengthening the starters and he would give insurance if Eddie ultimately signs with another team. I hope that Bloom really tries to do that imo it would be a great use of resources and kill many birds with one stone.
I think we are saying the same thing, Joe.
Joe – Yes there are ALWAYS other options besides signing free agents.
Look at how many of this year’s team were acquired via trade (providing a list so you don’t falsely accuse me of “making stuff up” again like your friend Denny often does).. And this is probably not a complete list, just off the top of my head.
Schwarber
Davis
Eovaldi
Pivetta
Sale
Seabold
Wong
Verdugo
Robles
Ottavino
And other players got picked up on waivers or Rule 5.
I know you played with the numbers on Vazquez. Over the past three years he caught the 2nd-most games in MLB. And of course you’re including offense too, which means his outlier 2019 season.
I’ve already provided a lot of stats and sources to support most everyone’s belief that an upgrade of Vazquez is needed. If Cora mismanages next year’s team out of contention by the trade deadline, Vazquez would be prime trade bait. Not even Cora would be able to prevent that trade from happening. But either one of the kids has to step up, or they have to acquire someone from another team. Because Plawecki is not a #1 catcher, and probably will never be.
I’m not concerned about ERod. I’d like him back at the right price, but there alternatives. I’d prefer a lock-down closer than ERod.
Fever Pitch Guy
Joe – Yes there are ALWAYS other options besides signing free agents.
=======================================
The guys you listed were regular players. There are only 5 catchers that have averaged a 2 fWAR/year over the past three years. There are 31 outfielders that can do that.
You cannot trade for a good catcher without giving up a ton of talent. And you cannot sign one this year.
He was a beneficiary of the jacked up baseball in 2019/2020. Still a good catcher though.
lordd – Strong arm alone doesn’t make him a good catcher, if it did then Gary Sanchez is also a good catcher. BWAHAHA!
, How did the jacked baseballs benefit his defense?
It didn’t. What did you think my last sentence was referencing?
If he shows up in shape, it will be an incredibly cheap contract.