The backstop market is starting to move after the three-team blockbuster that sent Sean Murphy to the Braves, with Christian Vázquez the next domino to fall. Vázquez agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Twins on Monday, a source told MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park. The club has not confirmed the deal.
The 32-year-old Vázquez spent his first 7 1/2 big league seasons with the Red Sox before being traded to the Astros at last season’s Trade Deadline. He helped guide Houston to a World Series title, including catching the club’s combined no-hitter against the Phillies in Game 4 of the Fall Classic
Though Vázquez has struggled at times to find consistency at the plate, he has established himself as one of the better defensive catchers in the Majors. His 11 Defensive Runs Saved this season were tied with J.T. Realmuto for the fourth-most among all catchers.
That also marked Vázquez’s third season with at least 10 DRS, an impressive feat considering the first two came while playing in a limited role. He had 14 DRS in just 55 games as a rookie in 2014, then compiled 10 DRS in 99 games in ’17.
Vázquez has also shown flashes at the plate, including hitting a career-high 23 home runs over 138 games for the Red Sox in 2019. However, he has not hit double-digit home runs in any other season.
Overall, Vázquez is slashing .261/.310/.386 (.695 OPS) across 2,633 career plate appearances.