Christian Vazquez

[moonslav59]

To me, it looked like he wasnt 100% back from the injury. Still needed to get the accuracy he had back with his throws and the offense was going to have to catch up. Hes hitting really well on AAA and from all reports the D is back to where it was.

As far as the whole tension with Management, I have no idea. Until theres solid proof of that Im not too concerned. I had zero issue with him being sent back to AAA to get back into a groove again. Hes hitting the ball and looking like his old self again.

 

I'm pretty sure we'd have seen Vaz back again in 2016 had Leon not taken control of the issue,

[Hugh2]

I'm pretty sure we'd have seen Vaz back again in 2016 had Leon not taken control of the issue,

 

I think so too. I'm still not 100% sold on Leon not being the next great flash in the pan but I'm loving what he's doing and at this point it's his job to lose.

[southpaw777]

I hope to see him playing soon. He was in he dugout.

[moonslav59]

I think so too. I'm still not 100% sold on Leon not being the next great flash in the pan but I'm loving what he's doing and at this point it's his job to lose.

 

Yes, and my point being was that Vaz was not kept in AAA, because Sox management didn't believe in him. He was kept there because with Leon, we didn't need Vaz on the 25 man roster, and it would have done him no good to play every 4 or 5 days.

[cp176]

Has Vazquez put the mask on since he was called up. Where's Waldo? We have seen 3 catchers getting time but none for him? Maybe he has been out there and I have just not noticed. I'm not sure what is up with him but it looks to me like he could be the odd man out for whatever reason.

[Eddy Ballgame]

Has Vazquez put the mask on since he was called up. Where's Waldo? We have seen 3 catchers getting time but none for him? Maybe he has been out there and I have just not noticed. I'm not sure what is up with him but it looks to me like he could be the odd man out for whatever reason.

 

About a month ago, someone on WEEI was talking about how Vasquez has listening issues and management was not happy with him at all. Pretty sure it was McAdam.

 

One time Vasquez was signaled knuckleball and he went with fastball when Wright was on the mound. The hitter crushed it. Supposedly this type of thing has happened enough times where they were pissed. Who knows, he may still be in the doghouse.

[moonslav59]

About a month ago, someone on WEEI was talking about how Vasquez has listening issues and management was not happy with him at all. Pretty sure it was McAdam.

 

One time Vasquez was signaled knuckleball and he went with fastball when Wright was on the mound. The hitter crushed it. Supposedly this type of thing has happened enough times where they were pissed. Who knows, he may still be in the doghouse.

 

I'm not doubting you, but I wish you could find the link.

[cp176]

About a month ago, someone on WEEI was talking about how Vasquez has listening issues and management was not happy with him at all. Pretty sure it was McAdam.

 

One time Vasquez was signaled knuckleball and he went with fastball when Wright was on the mound. The hitter crushed it. Supposedly this type of thing has happened enough times where they were pissed. Who knows, he may still be in the doghouse.

 

I might have been the link. i do remember it happening and the discussion around it.

[cp176]

Something is troubling me - Did Vazquez get sent down very shortly after he had Wright throw a fastball when he had been told not to by Willis? I think that it was a pitch that was last seen in Cambridge somewhere. Hanigan has now been brought back up. That gives them 3 catchers in Boston. I hope he gets the call after Pawtucket finishes their season. I'm just wondering what his future really is in Boston. It would not surprise me at all if he was traded during the off season.

 

CP link - very reputable!

[Eddy Ballgame]

I'm not doubting you, but I wish you could find the link.

 

Google "Christian Vasquez part of the problem." It won't cut and paste for some reason. Tony Masserati wrote about it. He gets paid to question everything the Sox do, he's annoying as hell, and it wasn't him who I heard talk about it, but he mentions it as well.

[Jasonbay44]

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/07/05/mazz-christian-vazquez-may-have-been-part-of-red-sox-problem-not-the-solution/

[moonslav59]

Lot's of supposition and conjecture, but the event could have triggered the demotion.

 

With how poorly Hanigan did, it makes me wonder what might have happened had Leon crapped out.

[S5Dewey]

This whole thing sounds to me like Mazzeroti trying to make something big out of something small - not that he'd actually DO that.

 

First of all, how deep is the FO's dog house? That happened 2 1/2 months ago. Does it make any sense that the FO would "punish" Vaz for this long by relegating him to Pawtucket? And then pick up Holaday as Vaz'replacement?

 

If this is the issue, why is only Vazquez being "punished"? If they're making a statement that the JF is going to call the pitches then shouldn't the pitcher bear some responsibility for what pitch is thrown? Or is it a matter of "We can't punish Wright because he's pitching too well". In which case, isn't that the exact opposite message they want to send, the new message being that if you're playing well you can do anything you want?

 

I don't know why Vaz was sent to Pawtucket for as long as he was, but I have to believe that it doesn't center around the pitcher and catcher overruling the manager. That may have been a part of the issue but IMO there's a lot more to it than that.

[cp176]

This whole thing sounds to me like Mazzeroti trying to make something big out of something small - not that he'd actually DO that.

 

First of all, how deep is the FO's dog house? That happened 2 1/2 months ago. Does it make any sense that the FO would "punish" Vaz for this long by relegating him to Pawtucket? And then pick up Holaday as Vaz'replacement?

 

If this is the issue, why is only Vazquez being "punished"? If they're making a statement that the JF is going to call the pitches then shouldn't the pitcher bear some responsibility for what pitch is thrown? Or is it a matter of "We can't punish Wright because he's pitching too well". In which case, isn't that the exact opposite message they want to send, the new message being that if you're playing well you can do anything you want?

 

I don't know why Vaz was sent to Pawtucket for as long as he was, but I have to believe that it doesn't center around the pitcher and catcher overruling the manager. That may have been a part of the issue but IMO there's a lot more to it than that.

 

Another potential scenario is that they just don't think that he is as good as once thought. Unless he is hurt, which doesn't appear to be the case, it kind of looks like he is the last guy on the depth chart. i have to really wonder what that says about his future in Boston. He isn't serving as a backups backups backup to All-Stars.

[S5Dewey]

Another potential scenario is that they just don't think that he is as good as once thought. Unless he is hurt, which doesn't appear to be the case, it kind of looks like he is the last guy on the depth chart. i have to really wonder what that says about his future in Boston. He isn't serving as a backups backups backup to All-Stars.

 

I don't remember anyone's ever questioning his defense (and I'm not implying that you were!). IMHO it's mostly about his offense. I don't know what their progression chart looks like for players but it's entirely possible that he's not progressing as quickly offensively as they'd like. Beyond that... I got nothin'...

[cp176]

I don't remember anyone's ever questioning his defense (and I'm not implying that you were!). IMHO it's mostly about his offense. I don't know what their progression chart looks like for players but it's entirely possible that he's not progressing as quickly offensively as they'd like. Beyond that... I got nothin'...

 

I pretty much agree with you and I can't imagine that they think he is the 4th best offensive option among what they currently have. That is a tough one. It makes me think that there is something else going on. I would not be one bit surprised to see him traded this winter.

[S5Dewey]

I pretty much agree with you and I can't imagine that they think he is the 4th best offensive option among what they currently have. That is a tough one. It makes me think that there is something else going on. I would not be one bit surprised to see him traded this winter.

 

I think someday we're going to look back on this and say "WTF HAPPENED???" This guy started the season as the heir-apparent to the catching position with GG capabilities and by the end of the season he was in Pawtuckt, playing behind guys like Haloday.

[cp176]

I think someday we're going to look back on this and say "WTF HAPPENED???" This guy started the season as the heir-apparent to the catching position with GG capabilities and by the end of the season he was in Pawtuckt, playing behind guys like Haloday.

 

And nothing really has been said about him. It is a mystery.

[Kimmi]

And nothing really has been said about him. It is a mystery.

 

It is rather curious that we haven't seen Vazquez or heard anything about why he's not playing. It's surprising how quickly he seems to have fallen out of favor with the FO and with many fans. Leon, I'm sure, is a big part of the reason for that.

 

Until this current speculation about him overruling Farrell's call, I had not heard anything negative about Vaz' attitude or work ethic. Not sure what's going on, but I would not be so quick to give up on him.

[Eddy Ballgame]

It is rather curious that we haven't seen Vazquez or heard anything about why he's not playing. It's surprising how quickly he seems to have fallen out of favor with the FO and with many fans. Leon, I'm sure, is a big part of the reason for that.

 

Until this current speculation about him overruling Farrell's call, I had not heard anything negative about Vaz' attitude or work ethic. Not sure what's going on, but I would not be so quick to give up on him.

 

Sean McAdam made it sound like he had some issues with "listening" and the Steven Wright incident wasn't the first. Where there's smoke, there's usually fire with this stuff, but who knows? I

[oldtimer]

It is rather curious that we haven't seen Vazquez or heard anything about why he's not playing. It's surprising how quickly he seems to have fallen out of favor with the FO and with many fans. Leon, I'm sure, is a big part of the reason for that.

 

Until this current speculation about him overruling Farrell's call, I had not heard anything negative about Vaz' attitude or work ethic. Not sure what's going on, but I would not be so quick to give up on him.

 

Leon is an excellent defensive catcher who has had offensive numbers far and away superior to his prior showing. Did he really discover some special hitting secret that made the jump possible or is he more likely to return more to his norm. I hope not but wouldn't be surprised if his hitting stopped being all world. Based on what he has done this year, he will remain our #1 guy but next year they may take another look. I hoped that Vazquez would be second on our list but something else appears to be going on with him and JF perhaps.

[Bellhorn04]

Leon's inevitable plummet with the stick is well underway, I fear (2 for his last 24).

[Spudboy]

This whole thing sounds to me like Mazzeroti trying to make something big out of something small - not that he'd actually DO that.

 

First of all, how deep is the FO's dog house? That happened 2 1/2 months ago. Does it make any sense that the FO would "punish" Vaz for this long by relegating him to Pawtucket? And then pick up Holaday as Vaz'replacement?

 

If this is the issue, why is only Vazquez being "punished"? If they're making a statement that the JF is going to call the pitches then shouldn't the pitcher bear some responsibility for what pitch is thrown? Or is it a matter of "We can't punish Wright because he's pitching too well". In which case, isn't that the exact opposite message they want to send, the new message being that if you're playing well you can do anything you want?

 

I don't know why Vaz was sent to Pawtucket for as long as he was, but I have to believe that it doesn't center around the pitcher and catcher overruling the manager. That may have been a part of the issue but IMO there's a lot more to it than that.

 

Yeah. Like the fact that Vaz has not hit well enough.

[Kimmi]

Sean McAdam made it sound like he had some issues with "listening" and the Steven Wright incident wasn't the first. Where there's smoke, there's usually fire with this stuff, but who knows? I

 

It's possible. There is *some* reason why he has not played.

[Kimmi]

Leon is an excellent defensive catcher who has had offensive numbers far and away superior to his prior showing. Did he really discover some special hitting secret that made the jump possible or is he more likely to return more to his norm. I hope not but wouldn't be surprised if his hitting stopped being all world. Based on what he has done this year, he will remain our #1 guy but next year they may take another look. I hoped that Vazquez would be second on our list but something else appears to be going on with him and JF perhaps.

 

He will definitely come back down to earth, but he should still be a decent hitting catcher - decent enough to hold a starting position.

[FredLynn]

Leon's inevitable plummet with the stick is well underway, I fear (2 for his last 24).

 

You mean he really isn't a .350 hitter after all? I think he has hit a slump, thats all. And he will settle eventually in at maybe a .260 hitter with good defensive skills. I will take that.

[cp176]

It is rather curious that we haven't seen Vazquez or heard anything about why he's not playing. It's surprising how quickly he seems to have fallen out of favor with the FO and with many fans. Leon, I'm sure, is a big part of the reason for that.

 

Until this current speculation about him overruling Farrell's call, I had not heard anything negative about Vaz' attitude or work ethic. Not sure what's going on, but I would not be so quick to give up on him.

 

I don't think that any of us want to give up on this guy. It just remains something that no one has said anything about at all. Unless he is hurting, you have to wonder why he hasn't even appeared since the call up. I might be going out on a limb but I still see him as the next best option after Leon.

[illinoisredsox]

Actually, Vazquez has appeared in 3 games since being recalled. He came in for Leon in the 9th innings of the Sept 9 blowout of the Blue Jays and the Sept 12 blowout of the Orioles. On Sunday night against the Yankees, he went 0-1 at the plate, entering the game in the 7th after Papi pinch hit for Holoday.

 

None of the backup catchers are playing much right now. Leon has played 125 of a possible 160 innings this month. The Sox have played 18 games in September. Holoday has started 2 and played in 1 other, Hanigan has started 2 and played in 1 other, Leon has started 14 and played in 1 other.

 

It's the sprint portion of the marathon and the race is close. Backups at any position are not going to be used much unless the regular is physically unable to go (ala Pedey last night).

Edited September 21, 2016 by illinoisredsox

[Kimmi]

Actually, Vazquez has appeared in 3 games since being recalled. He came in for Leon in the 9th innings of the Sept 9 blowout of the Blue Jays and the Sept 12 blowout of the Orioles. On Sunday night against the Yankees, he went 0-1 at the plate, entering the game in the 7th after Papi pinch hit for Holoday.

 

None of the backup catchers are playing much right now. Leon has played 125 of a possible 160 innings this month. The Sox have played 18 games in September. Holoday has started 2 and played in 1 other, Hanigan has started 2 and played in 1 other, Leon has started 14 and played in 1 other.

 

It's the sprint portion of the marathon and the race is close. Backups at any position are not going to be used much unless the regular is physically unable to go (ala Pedey last night).

 

Very sensible post.

 

I think it's still a little curious that Vazquez hasn't started a game, but there might not be anything to it at all.

[cp176]

Actually, Vazquez has appeared in 3 games since being recalled. He came in for Leon in the 9th innings of the Sept 9 blowout of the Blue Jays and the Sept 12 blowout of the Orioles. On Sunday night against the Yankees, he went 0-1 at the plate, entering the game in the 7th after Papi pinch hit for Holoday.

 

None of the backup catchers are playing much right now. Leon has played 125 of a possible 160 innings this month. The Sox have played 18 games in September. Holoday has started 2 and played in 1 other, Hanigan has started 2 and played in 1 other, Leon has started 14 and played in 1 other.

 

It's the sprint portion of the marathon and the race is close. Backups at any position are not going to be used much unless the regular is physically unable to go (ala Pedey last night).

 

Thanks for the post. Tells you what type of fan I am. Just glad to know that he is still on the radar.