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Red Sox rumors: 3 biggest trade deadline mistakes

By Noah Yingling

BOSTON, MA - JULY 31: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at Fenway Park on July 31, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 31: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at Fenway Park on July 31, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /
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Christian Vazquez, Houston Astros
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 02: Christian Vasquez #9 of the Houston Astros pinch hits in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park on August 02, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Trading Christian Vázquez and trading him to Houston

The Red Sox probably should have been more aggressive buyers since they are only three games out of the playoff picture. But with being in last place, it’s understandable that they could look to sell (even though you might not agree with it).

But trading your primary catcher and one of the team’s primary leaders that was beloved by other players on your team is not a move that’s advisable when you’re that close to a playoff spot. Even worse, you trade him to the team that (outside of the Yankees) is probably your biggest rival in the Houston Astros.

The Astros were desperate for catching depth so they, in theory, should have at least overpaid to get Vázquez. But they didn’t. The Red Sox got two prospects for him and those two prospects are no. 28 and no. 29 in their farm system, according to MLB.com.

There are only 10 MLB catchers with at least 300 plate appearances on the season. Only eight of those have a wRC+ at or above league average (100 or higher). Only four of those eight have at least four Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) on the season. Vázquez is one of those four … and they traded him … to a playoff rival … for two prospects that aren’t highly rated. Not a great trade on the surface and not a great look for the players in your clubhouse.

This leads to mistake number three.

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