Christian Vazquez, the previous Boston Pink Sox catcher who backstopped the franchise’s 2018 World Collection winner, elected free company Thursday after a disappointing 2026 season with the Houston Astros.
His agent needs a brand new deal earlier than a attainable lockout, in response to El Nuevo Día, leaving the 36-year-old two-time World Collection champion a slim window to discover a 2027 job.
Vazquez, born Aug. 21, 1990, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, bats and throws right-handed and is listed at 5-foot-8, 205 kilos. Boston chosen him within the ninth spherical of the 2008 draft out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, and he debuted July 9, 2014. Throughout 1,079 video games, he has hit .247 with 78 house runs and 374 RBIs, together with a .660 OPS. Agent Melvin Roman of MDR Sports activities Administration represents him.
Christian Vazquez’s Boston Pink Sox Profession and the Wilyer Abreu Commerce
Vazquez caught for Boston in 2014 and once more from 2016 via 2022, recognized for arm power, protection and game-calling. His greatest offensive season got here in 2019, when he hit .276 with 23 house runs and 72 RBIs.
A fractured proper finger value Vazquez vital time in 2018, and he hit .207 with three house runs and 16 RBIs in 80 video games. He went 8-for-37 over 12 postseason video games as Boston beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in 5 video games to win the World Collection.
His most distinctive night time got here in Sport 3 at Dodger Stadium, an 18-inning loss that stands because the longest World Collection recreation by innings and time. Vazquez caught about 11 innings earlier than transferring to first base, making him one in every of two World Collection gamers to play each positions in the identical recreation, alongside Gene Tenace.
He additionally was behind the plate for the ultimate out, Chris Sale’s strikeout of Manny Machado, and leaped into the pitcher’s arms in celebration.
The Pink Sox traded Vazquez on Aug. 1, 2022, sending him to the Astros for infielder Enmanuel Valdez and outfielder Wilyer Abreu. Whereas Valdez didn’t work out and was later traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Abreu has gone on to develop into a core member of the Pink Sox lineup and two-time Gold Glove winner in proper area.
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In Sport 4 of the 2022 World Collection in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies, he caught each pitch of a mixed no-hitter by Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly. The sport was the second no-hitter in World Collection historical past, and the Astros received the title. Vazquez and Yogi Berra are the one catchers to work a World Collection no-hitter.
The Minnesota Twins signed him to a three-year, $30 million deal protecting 2023 via 2025. He hit .223 in 2023 and .221 in 2024, then .189 in 65 video games in 2025, working largely behind Ryan Jeffers.
Houston introduced him again on a minor-league contract in March 2026, and he made the Opening Day roster behind Yainer Diaz. He hit .207 with seven house runs and 25 RBIs in 86 video games. On Could 15, he caught his second profession no-hitter, a mixed effort from Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and Alimber Santa.
Houston holds probably the most direct connection, having signed him for a backup position in 2026 and displaying curiosity earlier, in response to MLB Commerce Rumors. Boston affords one other connection, given the group’s historical past with the catcher.
Golf equipment searching for veteran depth behind a younger starter, such because the Padres, who have been linked to him in previous markets, match the profile for a minor-league or modest major-league cope with incentives, in response to MLB.com. At 36, he initiatives as a one-year backup somewhat than a multiyear dedication.
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