Red Sox: Predictions for biggest roster battles of spring training

Catcher: Sandy Leon vs Christian Vazquez vs Blake Swihart

This is more of a two-way battle than three, but the Blake Swihart factor is very important in this one.

We all know the story of Swihart. He was once a heralded prospect, the best in the Red Sox farm system. Boston even made him untouchable in a trade with the Phillies for Cole Hamels. Looking back, the Red Sox still probably did right, just because the sheer amount of money owed to Hamels.

But since he was the top prospect, the Red Sox have ruined Swihart. They tried him in left field, which got him hurt. They haven’t given him ample opportunity to win starting job either.

So what will they do with Swihart now?

Well it seems as if Alex Cora is not going to give him a chance either. Cora said earlier this week that Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez are his catchers.

So with Swihart likely to be out of the picture, and he is out of minor league options, what will they do with him? They might try to turn him into a utility player again, but a trade could also be likely. His value is not as high as it used to be, but it isn’t terrible. He is only 25 after all.

So between Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez, it looks more and more like Vazquez will win the job. Vazquez has been catching Chris Sale in the early bullpen sessions, which was exclusively Leon last year.

The Red Sox could still keep Leon and Vazquez, and use Leon to spell Vazquez on days he does not have personal catcher duties. But the Swihart angle makes it tougher.

Prediction: Christian Vazquez wins the starting job, and Blake Swihart eventually passes Sandy Leon on the depth chart.