The 2019 MLB season has officially started. Although, the season has only started for two teams thus far: the Oakland A’s and the Seattle Mariners. For the rest of the league, the season begins in earnest in less than a week, on Thursday.
As the Red Sox make their final cuts, set to break camp with the 25 men who will attempt to defend their title; it appears they are log jammed at one position….Catcher.
The Sox find themselves with three viable options behind the dish. Last season the Sox employed two main catching options; Christian Vasquez and Sandy Leon. Vasquez had 251AB, batting only .207; while Leon had 265AB with an anemic .177AVG.
A third option behind the plate has emerged; Blake Swihart. Swihart was employed last year in many roles, just to find at bats and get his bat into the lineup. Using that approach, Swihart managed to garner 192AB, playing 28 games at catcher, 21 in the outfield, 14 at DH, 10 at 1B, three at 3B, and one at 2B.
The biggest dilemma for the Sox where Swihart is concerned, is that he’s out of options and cannot start the year at Triple-A. But, there isn’t currently a good fit for him on the team. They do not need to carry three catchers. And the Sox already have two swiss army-like players: Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez, who can play all over the infield: and Brock can even play some outfield. And of course, slugging DH JD Martinez can also play in the outfield.
So what does that mean for Swhart? The Sox could trade him, but it seems apparent they do value the young player. And why not, he’s only earning $910,000 for the 2019 season, and he’s under team control through the 2022 season.
Of the other two backstops, Leon appears to be the easier to unload. He’s only earning 2.475M this season and will be a free agent after the 2020 season. Vazquez’s contract is for more money with a longer committment, (3yr/13.3M).
Leon is considered to be an above average defender and could definitely help a team’s pitching staff, especially on a contending team. A team like Oakland or Seattle would be an ideal landing spot for Leon. They each have young arms and each could possibly contend for a playoff spot over the next couple of seasons. The Sox price tag most likely wouldn’t be too high, since this is mainly a dump to free up a roster spot…it may even be for a low end prospect, or player to be named later.
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