As the trade deadline draws closer, the future of Christian Vazquez is uncertain
With the trade deadline less than a week away, Christian Vazquez is a trade candidate
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson
With the trade deadline only days away, the Red Sox are expected to be a busy team. They are last in the AL East but only 4.5 games behind Toronto for the top AL wildcard spot. As they prepare for a crucial weekend, some Red Sox pillars, including Christian Vazquez, could be on the move if the Red Sox continue their recent play.
While Vazquez hasn’t been a popular name in the rumor mill, he is having one of the best seasons of his career. The Puerto Rican native is hitting .281 with 26 extra-base hits. Vazquez has remained a steady presence behind the plate in his eighth major league season. In a lineup that has struggled at times, Vazquez has shown a tendency to come through in the clutch.
Additionally, the thirty-one-year-olds power has been on full display. In 274 at-bats, Vazquez has hit eight home runs. That is the second highest total of his career, with two months remaining on the schedule. He also has 40 runs batted in and 18 doubles, the fourth highest total of his career.
For a team in need of catching help, Vazquez is the perfect candidate. He has been above average offensively and stellar behind the plate. The Red Sox backstop also brings playoffs experience, with 25 postseason games on his resume. However, he would not be easy to replace.
If Vazquez was traded, the Red Sox would likely turn to a tandem of Kevin Plawecki and Connor Wong behind the plate. Plawecki has struggled mightily this year, but Wong has a .286 batting average in 11 career games. The Red Sox would get to take a closer look at prospects such as Ronaldo Hernandez and Wong, who will take on more significant roles next year with Plawecki and Vazquez on expiring deals.
Although the Red Sox are still in the playoff picture, they are at a crossroads. They do not have to trade their veteran pieces such as Vazquez. However, they then risk losing him for free agency for nothing. At a position where the offense is at a premium, there would not be a shortage of suitors.
As the deadline draws closer, the Red Sox will be an interesting team to watch. The first big move was made on Wednesday night when the Yankees acquired Andrew Benintendi from the Royals for three prospects. Like Vazquez, Benintendi will be a free agent this winter. The trading frenzy is just starting, and the Red Sox could be at the center of it.
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