Red Sox just hurt Willson Contreras trade value, Cubs

With the Boston Red Sox opting to sell at the MLB trade deadline, the Cubs may have to lower demands for Willson Contreras.

Chicago’s demands for Contreras were seen as sky high, and there were very few other notable backstops on the trade market. Thus, the Cubs controlled said market.

But with Boston’s decision to sell, that all has changed. Christian Vazquez is no Contreras, but he is capable enough at the plate and behind it.

Vazquez is slashing .283/.328/.431 with eight home runs. That moderate power isn’t much, but it does mean Vazquez is a threat to leave the yard. He’s not a catcher a contender would be forced to bat eighth or ninth due to their inability to make contact on a regular basis.

MLB rumors: What Christian Vazquez chatter means for Cubs, Willson Contreras

With time, the Cubs may have to lower their demands for Contreras. Chicago was looking at many of the same prospects it would cost the Padres to land Juan Soto, for example. That may no longer be realistic.

To his credit, Vazquez is handling the trade rumors quite well, despite potentially leaving Boston as late as Tuesday. Vazquez is in a contract year, so he had to see this coming given the Red Sox’s tough start.

"“I’m very proud of him on the personal level because we have connected throughout the years and our families, too, and he’s matured a lot,” Alex Cora said. “This kid, there’s no more empty fly balls to right field. There’s a lot of line drives to right field. He’s made some adjustments throughout the season. And it seems whenever we have a close game, that’s the guy we want in the eighth inning or the ninth inning at the plate because he’s been clutch, too.”"

As for Contreras, he still has several potential suitors in the Padres, Astros and Mets. He remains the top catcher on the market, despite the emergence of Vazquez.

The only difference is, now there’s another option. If Boston’s price comes down first for Vazquez, it would severely impact the market for Chicago and Contreras.