Inside the Astros

The Houston Astros Should Pursue This New Available Catcher at MLB Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros will likely pursue help at the catcher's position. This newly available player should be on the top of their list.

Kade Kistner

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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The Houston Astros are in the market for another catcher as we approach the 2022 MLB trade deadline. Pickings have been relatively slim, but reports from the NY Post's Jon Heyman are showing that the Boston Red Sox may now be turning into sellers ahead of the deadline.

Of those Red Sox most likely to go is Christian Vázquez who will be a free agent after this 2022 MLB season. He would slot perfectly into the backup catcher role with a chance to compete for even more time with Martin Maldonado. 

Vázquez was in discussion for a potential MLB All-Star appearance this season as he is slashing .283/.328/.431 with an OPS+ of 108. Additionally, he plays stellar defense behind the plate with a career 45 DRS across eight seasons.

Adding a catcher at the deadline is tricky as it takes significant time to get to know and understand a new pitching staff. Likewise, it seems unlikely that Houston would give a newly acquired catcher more starts behind the plate than Martin Maldonado.

Additionally, Maldonado has collected an .852 OPS in the month of July and is helping solidify his case in keeping a stranglehold of his starting position.

Regardless, acquiring a rental like Vázquez would not only help bolster the Astros' lineup while also providing protection at the catcher's position, but would likely come at a palatable cost in prospects.

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

  1. Report: Diamondbacks Trade David Peralta to Rays for Minor League Prospect
  2. Dodgers Acquire Reliever Martin from Cubs
  3. Report: Astros, Rays Discuss Ji-Man Choi, Jose Urquidy Swap
  4. Astros Send Niko Goodrum on Minor League Rehab Assignment
  5. No Sugar for Ray as Astros Crush Mariners' Ace
  6. Report: Lefty Blake Taylor Begins Throwing
  7. Astros Sign Undrafted Free Agent Pitcher Temple
  8. Astros Prospect Kessinger Piecing Together Better Offense Play
  9. Report: Astros Expressing Interest in Marlins' Cooper
  10. Bregman, Urquidy Lift Astros Over Mariners

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Published
Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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