Trying to match the activity of the first-place Yankees, the Astros are also making moves to improve at the trade deadline.
A few hours after trading for a power bat in Trey Mancini, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Houston has acquired veteran catcher Christian Vazquez from the Red Sox. The Astros made it official moments later.
The Houston Astros have acquired C Christian Vázquez from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league IF Enmanuel Valdez and OF Wilyer Abreu.
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 2, 2022
After the trade was reported, Vázquez seemed shell shocked when speaking with the media. A Red Sox spokesman eventually stepped in to relieve the catcher from sorting through his feelings in real-time.
Vazquez when asked if he was traded to Astros, “I think so, yeah.”
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 1, 2022
How does it feel: “It’s a business.”
Red Sox PR pulled him away. pic.twitter.com/fQ06LVzwW0
The Astros have now added two strong contributors to their lineup at the deadline as they look to make a push for their fourth World Series appearance in the last six seasons.
For more on this deal, we have you covered with trade details below.
MORE: MLB Trade Deadline Tracker: Live rumors, news and updates
Astros-Red Sox trade details
Astros get:
- C Christian Vazquez
Red Sox get:
- INF Emmanuel Valdez
- OF Wilyer Abreu
What this means for the Astros
The Astros desperately needed some help with starting catcher Martin Maldonado slashing .173/.239/.342 on the season and they get that in Vazquez, who has been nothing but consistent as the everyday starter for Boston.
The 31-year-old backstop is hitting .282 with eight home runs and 42 RBI on the season, starting 73 games behind the plate for the Red Sox.
His average ranks second among all catchers who have at least 150 plate appearances on the season, while his 83 hits are tied for second and his 42 RBI rank fourth. He's as sound as they come defensively and brings more championship swagger to an Astros team with title aspirations, winning the 2018 World Series with Boston.
Houston has started to plug the holes in its lineup with deadline deals to acquire Vazquez and Mancini. Vazquez will likely slot into the everyday role ahead of Maldonado, giving the Astros some options behind the plate during the homestretch of the season.
What this means for the Red Sox
This means the Red Sox are at least somewhat operating as sellers at the trade deadline.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that All-Stars Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts would not be moved at the deadline despite trade rumors.
That didn't stop Boston from moving on from its everyday catcher, but it also made ensuing moves to trade for Reds outfield Tommy Pham and White Sox backup catcher Reese McGuire.
In this deal, Boston landed two prospects from the Astros in infielder Valdez and outfielder Abreu. Per MLB Pipeline, Valdez is the No. 28-ranked prospect in Houston's farm system while Abreu ranks 29th.
Valdez, 23, has been a monster in the minors this season, slashing .327/.410/.606 with 21 home runs and 77 RBI in 82 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
Abreu, 23, has spent the whole season in Double-A so far, hitting .249 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI and 23 stolen bases.
After a horrendous 8-19 record in July, the Red Sox appear to be toeing the line between being buyers and sellers at the trade deadline, still only 3.5 games back from a Wild Card spot.
