Mets trade deadline rumors they could revisit this offseason

BOSTON, MA - MAY 01: Christian Vasquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after teammates poured Gatorade over him after a victory over the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on May 1, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 01: Christian Vasquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after teammates poured Gatorade over him after a victory over the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on May 1, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Christian Vasquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox looks on before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on April 28, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox Catcher Christian Vazquez

Over the final 48 hours leading up to the Trade Deadline, there was noise around the league that the Mets were interested in acquiring Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez. Many Mets fans are well aware of who Christian Vazquez is after the consistent damage he inflicted on the Mets during their four-game series earlier this season.

With the catching position being one of the glaring holes staring at the Mets this upcoming offseason, the Mets may choose to revisit a trade this offseason with the Red Sox. Wilson Ramos has had a sluggish season, to say the least, and unless Robinson Chirinos finds lightning in a bottle over the final month of the season, the Mets will be looking to upgrade that position.

The 30-year old Vazquez is a career .256 hitter but is more lauded for his defensive prowess behind the plate, an area the Mets have struggled with this season. The Puerto Rican born catcher is under contract through the 2021 season at $6.25 million. His contract also includes a 2022 club option for $7 million with a $250,000 buyout.

The Red Sox asking price surrounding Vazquez was reportedly very high, and as these reports began to surface it seemed the Mets pulled themselves out of the running for the catcher, as MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal would state the Mets interest in Vazquez was “overblown.”

What can’t be overblown is the potential hole behind the plate that the Mets will have next season. It is yet to be seen if the Mets will break the bank for soon to be free agent catcher J.T. Realmuto, but if a deal does not come to fruition I could see one of the first back up options being the Mets giving the Red Sox a call on Vazquez.

It would be interesting to see if the Red Sox asking price would continue to be high on Vazquez this offseason, as they are seemingly going through the beginning of a rebuilding process. The Red Sox are pitching starved and you wonder if a minor league pitcher plus catcher Ali Sanchez who resembles a younger but unfinished version of Vasquez would get a deal done.

Probability of a trade: 60%