Should we be on the waiver wire looking for a backup catcher?

[notin]

From what I'm seeing of late of the tandem of Leon and Swihart I would not be against trading Vazquez if the return was more than just adequate.

 

Leon, unquestionably is a good defensive catcher and seemingly calls a good game and instills confidence in the pitchers. Not an offensive threat, but has on occasion chipped in with some timely hits.

 

Swihart is an offensive threat and I've been impressed with his considerable improvement behind the plate. Add in his versatility with more than capable backup skills at 1B, LF, 3B and 2B, which makes him more than just a backup catcher.

 

I doubt there is adequate return to be had for Vazquez. If the Sox want adequate return, Swihart is the much better trading chip. And if the Sox are ok with the Leon/Vazquez tandem next season, Swihart might even be used that way. And this time, DD might even be able to get what he wants for him...

[OH FOY]

Swihart more valuable then Vazquez, plays multiple Positions. Doubt Sox move him. Cora showed a lot of faith in Swihart, this really impresses me about him.

At this point I think Swihart is ahead of Vazquez on Play-off Roster. You need players in the Play-offs that play multiple positions. It's close.

Edited August 24, 2018 by OH FOY!

[notin]

Swihart more valuable then Vazquez, plays multiple Positions. Doubt Sox move him.

 

It really depends on what you can get back.

 

If the Sox have a bigger need, they are a lot less likely to get it for Vazquez or Leon. If they need to replace Kimbrel, for example, they are more likely to get back a quality replacement for Swihart than either of the other catchers.

 

Would you trade Swihart for, say, Blake Treinen or Brad Hand or Archie Bradley?

 

Or if the Sox want a SP. Would you trade Swihart and, say, Devers, for deGrom? (Would the Mets?)

[Maxbialystock]

This continues to be a discussion. Right now I sure would like to keep Swihart because he really can catch but can also play the outfield, 1b, and maybe 3b. And he can hit.

 

Realistically, however, the Sox have all those slots covered pretty well into the future. I agree with whoever says Swihart should be on the postseason roster ahead of Vazquez, but can't help remembering that Vazquez and Leon have been a pretty good tandem this year even with the weak hitting. We really don't need Swihart that badly for 2019.

 

If the Sox can't get good trade value for Swihart for 2019, he would probably be an excellent backup next year and get used a lot more if only to find out, finally, how well he really can hit.

[OH FOY]

Smart MLB teams should think like a NFL Team, where every dollar counts. Not to be cheap at all, but stay within the Rules of spending.

[mvp 78]

Smart MLB teams should think like a NFL Team, where every dollar counts. Not to be cheap at all, but stay within the Rules of spending.

 

In baseball, there is no true cap. No reason not to spend more for the right talent.

[notin]

In baseball, there is no true cap. No reason not to spend more for the right talent.

 

There are a few reasons to maintain spending, regardless of the lack of cap. Two primary ones are to void paying too much money for players as they age beyond usefulness, and also to avoid penalties for drafting. Sometimes, the "right talent" won't be the right talent long enough to justify that...

[Dojji]

Agreed. Not every upgrade is worth pursuing. Maintaining the financial flexibility to go get the "right talent" for next year, and the year after that, is an advantage all its own.

[Slasher9]

the cliff is real.

[moonslav59]

Henry's spending has limits. Paying higher and higher taxes on the overages is probably not something he will continue doing every year.

 

It's easy for us to "spend" his money.

 

Also, I doubt he wants to be remembered as the second coming of George Steinbrenner or the GM that bought rings.

[redsoxrules]

We have too many catchers. No need to get a 4th one.