Red Sox: An overview of catching options for 2022 and beyond

Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki

Kevin Plawecki joined the Red Sox before the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, and in the 71 games he’s played in Boston, he’s slashing .318/.378/.414, posting a 130 OPS+ in 2020 and a 103 OPS+ this year.

He’s played his way into a bigger role on this year’s squad, and Alex Cora has made no qualms about Plawecki cutting into Vázquez’s playing time, as reported by MassLive.

"“On a team that, offensively, has struggled the last month or or month and 10 days, we need his at-bats. They’re quality at-bats. This is not a knock on Christian but it’s actually where we’re at. We need this at-bat. It has been pretty solid. Getting on base, hitting the ball hard, using the whole field.”"

Plawecki is eligible for arbitration this coming offseason, and he’s actually a year younger than Vázquez. While his defensive profile behind the dish isn’t as good, his bat has proven to be a valuable commodity in Boston, and he’s shown himself to be more than capable in a platoon situation.

Plawecki is also appreciated for his demeanor and personality in the clubhouse, and along with some help from former Red Sox catcher and current coaching staff member Jason Varitek, was the mastermind behind the famed home run cart.

If the Red Sox were to decline Vázquez’s option for next year, Plawecki is the obvious and perfect candidate to take on the bulk of the reps at the plate in 2022.