Fansided

Cardinals: 3 catcher upgrades to trade for with Yadier Molina still hurt

By Miranda Remaklus

ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 31: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on May 31, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 31: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on May 31, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 10: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after dropping the ball in the fifth inning at Fenway Park on July 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JULY 10: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after dropping the ball in the fifth inning at Fenway Park on July 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

 2. Christian Vazquez

Vazquez has one defensive run saved for this season, but the 31-year-old  catcher has amassed 41 defensive runs for his career. Amazing. This is the defensive intensity the Cardinals are seeking.

Vazquez is hitting .273/.318/.414 with an OPS of .732, 15 walks, 18 doubles, six home runs, 27 runs scored, and 35 RBI. He has an impressive strikeout rate of 16.6 percent.

Vazquez is in the final season of a four-year deal worth $20.3 million and will be a free agent in the offseason. Vazquez tops the Red Sox depth chart at catcher ahead of Kevin Plawecki and Connor Wong. Two of the Red Sox’s Top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com, are catchers Nathan Hickey and Ronaldo Hernandez. While Hernandez could see time in the Major League in 2022, Hickey may have to wait until 2024.

With Vazquez ahead of some young talent and in his final year on his current contract, the Red Sox could decide to flip Vazquez for a needed piece to help them in a tight pack in the AL East. At 48-45 in fourth place, it will be fun to see what the Red Sox do in the coming days leading to the Aug. 2 trade deadline. The Cardinals could certainly benefit from Vazquez behind the plate as the team awaits word on when Molina will return.

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