All of the Boston Red Sox's acquisitions so far this offseason have been pitching-based. But with the bullpen bolstered and the rotation ready to go, the Sox have to pivot.
Boston still needs a righty bat to diversify its lefty-heavy lineup and a backup catcher to make up for the loss of Kyle Teel in the Garrett Crochet trade. Plenty of options for both positions remain on the free agent market, like Teoscar Hernández, James McCann, Alex Bregman and more, but the Sox seem more likely to make a trade to meet their needs.
The Minnesota Twins, an American League rival, could be a suitable trade partner for Boston. The Twins narrowly missed the playoffs last season after a disastrous September collapse and look to shed payroll this winter. Trading veteran backstop Christian Vázquez would do just that.
The Red Sox have 2024 catcher Connor Wong and recently acquired Yankees catching prospect Carlos Narváez on the 40-man roster, but the latter has just six games of big-league experience at age 26. Both of Boston's catchers could learn from Vázquez, who has 10 years of major league experience, with eight of those seasons played at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox could pursue reunion trade with Twins catcher Christian Vázquez
Vázquez slashed .262/.311/.389 with a .700 OPS during his tenure with the Red Sox, but he hasn't been the same player since leaving the team in 2022. He batted .221/.248/.327 over 93 games with the Twins last season, the fewest he's played in a year since 2018.
Vázquez only has one season remaining on the three-year deal he signed with Minnesota before the 2023 season, during which he's owed $10 million. The Red Sox wouldn't have to commit to the veteran long-term, but they'd still add another righty bat and a more experienced catching option if Narváez can't cut it in the majors this year.