Christian Vazquez Looks To Resolve Issues With Struggling Red Sox Pitching, Defense
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- In calling up catcher Christian Vazquez from his rehab assignment and optioning Blake Swihart to AAA Pawtucket, the Boston Red Sox made a clear statement: the problems with pitching and defense are not just on the mound but also behind the plate.
The Red Sox have had a glaring problem in the starting rotation since the start of the 2016 season. Even David Price has had a bumpy first two outings, but he can be expected to turn it around and pitch like the Cy Young contender that he is. The starting rotation beyond Price is the real concern for the team moving forward.
The other issue, albeit a smaller one, has been the defense behind the plate to start the season. Blake Swihart offers plenty of upside with his bat but does not measure up to Vazquez in terms of calling games or preventing runs. Swihart's dropped pop-up against the Baltimore Orioles really cost the Red Sox, as Mark Trumbo hit a mammoth home run into the Green Monster seats just five pitches later.
Vazquez may be limited at the plate, but behind it is already considered one of the best in baseball, just 54 games into his career. He is savvy when it comes to calling games, adept at framing pitches, and has a sniper rifle for a throwing arm. Even with a mediocre-at-best bat, Vazquez is ultimately the kind of catcher whose team wins with him manning the plate (hello, Yadier Molina/Salvador Perez).
This is not to knock Swihart; it's not his fault that Vazquez has the potential to be a transcendent defensive catcher. It's not a fair comparison. But it only took eight games for Swihart to prove that his future as a Major Leaguer could be at first base or a corner outfield position. His command behind the plate subtracts, not adds, value to the Red Sox pitching staff and defense.
It's important to note that the switch from Swihart to Vazquez won't magically transform the Red Sox rotation into the elusive five No. 1's - although he can make a ball levitate, as you can see above. However, guys like Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, and Friday night's starter, Rick Porcello, can only become more confident with a bona fide Gold Glove defensive catcher as their battery-mate.
Vazquez's presence was arguably the last hope to cling to when being optimistic about the Red Sox's rotation to turn around their 6.86 starters ERA, 29th in all of baseball. If the rotation beyond Price, starting with Porcello Friday, can't show more command, efficiency, and conviction when throwing to Vazquez, then it may be time to hover around that proverbial panic button.
One thing is for certain: even if guys get on base against Vazquez, they will have a hard time stealing bases on him, if they even attempt. Don't expect a whole lot of running from the softball lineup of the Toronto Blue Jays, anyway, but Vazquez's presence should at least give the Red Sox starters confidence that they can hold runners better and more often.
Vazquez, who is back after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, says his throwing arm, his greatest weapon, is back to "100 percent" and will arrive Friday night prepared to play at full strength.
"I trust the medical staff," Vazquez told reporters Friday. "They say I'm ready, [then] I'm ready."
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
