Boston we have a problem… Granted baseball is being governed by new rules and it will take some time to get used to, for everyone. With that said, numbers do not lie when it comes to throwing out baserunners who are attempting to steal. The Boston Red Sox catchers, Reese McGuire, and Connor Wong, do not have the numbers to show that they are ready to handle the new rules.
Opponents are now 15-for-15 in stolen bases against the Boston Red Sox — 14 off Reese McGuire, 1 off Connor Wong.
— Gio Rivera (@sportsguygio) April 10, 2023
The Red Sox Catcher Dilemma
While the McGuire trade from an offensive standpoint has worked out better than anyone could have imagined (.337 with three home runs, and 12 RBIs in 36 appearances, in 2022, and .308 average, so far this season), no one has seemed to notice the glaring downside to the McGuire trade; his lack of ability to throw out base stealers. In his six seasons, McGuire has thrown out a minuscule 39% of baserunners. Vazquez in nine seasons has thrown out more than half (51%), of the number of runners attempting to steal.
That’s What Prospects in the Minors Are For…
The Red Sox’s top-catching prospect (The #15 prospect overall in their farm system), Nathan Hickey swings a mean bat. In 57 games between the Salem Red Sox and the Greenville Drive, Hickey has thrown out 13% of would-be base stealers, while committing eight errors and allowing 10 passed balls. Hopefully, Hickey will improve those numbers significantly, as he works his way up through the Red Sox minor league system.
In the Meantime…
This would be a very popular opinion with Sox fans. Get Vazquez back; like Doug Mirabelli, in 2006! Mirabelli was the exclusive catcher used for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Mirabelli was traded to the San Diego Padres after the 2005 season. The Sox acquired catcher, Josh Bard, thinking he could be Wakefield’s “new, Mirabelli”. After a disastrous five games (Including 10 passed balls), the Sox sent Bard to San Diego in exchange for Mirabelli. Mirabelli’s return to Fenway became a staple of New England sports history. Mirabelli’s plane from San Diego landed at 6:48 PM. Mirabelli was escorted by Massachusetts State Police to Fenway, arriving at 7:00 PM, with just enough time to get dressed and be behind the plate (to catch Wakefield), at 7:13 PM.
Why Bring Vazquez Back
The obvious answer is the Sox need at least one catcher who can throw out baserunners; Wong and McGuire have yet to do so, this season (0/15, combined). McGuire’s throws this season, are not on target and/or late. The logic in sending Vazquez off in the first place was to save money, however, losing games because runners can easily get into scoring position will not generate revenue either. Being 31, Vazquez still has some quality years left at the position and would be a defensive upgrade to Wong and/or McGuire. Additionally, Vazquez’s leadership qualities are something the Red Sox and Red Sox Nation would love to have back.
Unpopular Opinion On The Red Sox Catcher Dilemma
Jarren Duran would make a Wong-for-Vazquez trade a done deal. One never gets a second chance to make a first impression. While not seeing a fly ball is one thing reacting to it without urgency, is another, as was the case with the Raimel Tapia inside the park Grand Slam, last season. Not many coaches, and/or, players/teammates will want to nor should have to put up with it.
Fitzy…We Hardly Knew Ye…
If the Sox do not wish to part with Duran, then Ryan Fitzgerald is a guy who deserves an opportunity to show what he can do at the big-league level. Fitzgerald is once again at Triple-A Worcester. The bottom line is if the Sox do not want to give Fitzgerald an opportunity in the majors, then they should send him to a team that may give him an opportunity; like the Twins.
The Great Fall of Bobby Dalbec
The Sox send ex-starting first baseman, Bobby Dalbec along with Connor Wong to the Twin Cities, for Vazquez. If Dalbec can produce like it is 2021 again, and the Twins think he can, Dalbec and Wong are off to the Land of Lakes and Vazquez is on his way back to Beantown.
Takeaways Of The Red Sox Catcher Dilemma
The Sox need a defensive upgrade at catcher. Neither Wong nor McGuire has shown that they can get the job done. While the Sox should not sacrifice McGuire’s bat in a trade scenario, they should still want to upgrade defensively, at catcher. If re-acquiring Vazquez, is not an option, then the Sox should look for either a player currently on an MLB roster or a prospect that has a better put-out percentage than McGuire’s 39%.
Main photo credits:
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Player mentioned:
Reese McGuire, Connor Wong, Nathan Hickey, Doug Mirabelli, Tim Wakefield, Josh Bard, Jarren Duran, Raimel Tapia, Ryan Fitzgerald, Bobby Dalbec
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