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Red Sox: Ranking Boston’s nine upcoming free agents by importance

By Jacob DeReus

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: From left, Red Sox Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, CEO Sam Kennedy, and Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom attend a press conference addressing the departure of Alex Cora as manager of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on January 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. A MLB investigation concluded that Cora was involved in the Houston Astros sign stealing operation in 2017 while he was the bench coach. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: From left, Red Sox Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, CEO Sam Kennedy, and Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom attend a press conference addressing the departure of Alex Cora as manager of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on January 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. A MLB investigation concluded that Cora was involved in the Houston Astros sign stealing operation in 2017 while he was the bench coach. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 17: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox looks on before a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 17, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 17: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox looks on before a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 17, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

#4: Red Sox C Christian Vázquez

Coming in at number four on my list is Christian Vázquez. I have him here at four because it would be great if he returned but if he didn’t it would not hurt the team too much offensively but would defensively. The best analogy I can think of is that he is the Jackie Bradley Jr of catching.

He is occasiaonly going to have a good bat, but he will always be stellar defensivley. I firmly believe Vázquez is very underratted behind the plate. He has never had a powerful bat and there has only been one season where his amount of homeruns was north of 10.

That was in 2019 when he had 23 home runs. The other seasons he has had 1, 1, 5, 3, 7, 6, and so far this season 1.  He is not a power hitter and I do not think he will ever be a power hitter. As I mentioned above, he’s also similar to Jackie in that his paycheck comes thanks to his defensive abilities.

Looking at his defensive stats he has never let more than 11 balls pass by him in a single season. He also averages only 23 wild pitches per season. Those are some pretty good stats behind the plate. Add in his stellar caught stealing numbers every season and there’s a reason why he’s on this team.

Would I love to see Vázquez return next season, yes. I love him behind the plate and I want Vázquez back, but I don’t think he is as important as these next three guys

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