Twins reportedly shopping former Red Sox catcher in trades
The Minnesota Twins are reportedly shopping former Red Sox and Astros catcher Christian Vázquez in a possible trade, per FanSided’s Robert Murray.
“The Twins are looking to cut payroll and have aggressively tried to move certain players, including Christian Vázquez,” Murray said on the “Foul Territory” podcast.
Vázquez signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Twins last offseason. He is owed $10 million per season in both 2024 and 2025.
Last season, the 33-year-old catcher hit just .223 with six home runs this past, which resulted in splitting time with Ryan Jeffers. His strikeout rate jumped to a career high of 23.1% and finished with a wRC+ of just 65.
Jeffers breakout 2023 campaign where he mashed 14 homers in 96 games is making Vázquez expendable.
Minnesota is also looking to shed some payroll this winter and moving Vázquez with a package of prospects might be enough to move the veteran. Once the financials are worked out in a potential trade, the backstop should be a sought after commodity around the game. Despite his diminishing skills at the plate, Vázquez is a leader in the clubhouse with a pedigree of winning.
Murray mentions the Marlins as a speculative fit for Vázquez, who are in the market for a veteran catcher after non-tendering Jacob Stallings this winter. Other clubs like the White Sox, Cubs, DBacks, Rays and the Red Sox could be fits.
The Rays had trade interest in Vázquez two years ago when he was with the Red Sox. Boston could look to upgrade from Reese McGuire who defensively is subpar. A platoon of Connor Wong and Vázquez is a decent bridge until top prospect Kyle Teel is ready in 2025.
Teel is the future catcher for the Red Sox and Boston could have Vázquez mentor him in the final year of his deal. Depending on how much money the Twins would eat in any trade, would ultimately determine the Sox’ interest.
Top prospect Roman Anthony had the opportunity to play with Teel this season while together in Portland. Anthony raved about the future starting Sox backstop.
“Yeah, he's awesome. He's the man, he's actually down here (Fort Myers) as well,” said Anthony on the “To the Show We Go” baseball podcast, part of the Beyond the Monster network. “He was just over not too long ago. He's, he's, he's a great dude. He I've learned a lot from him. Just in the short time being with him. You know, the minute he got to Greenville he was like a spark plug. He's a high energy guy. You know, college guy so he knows a lot it's got a lot of knowledge but he's just can flat out play baseball. He's just a very good baseball player.”
The Padres were heavily interested in Vázquez last offseason before he signed with the Twins.
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