Call to the pen
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Should the Team Acquire a Catcher?

By Phil Akre

BOSTON - JUNE 23: Seattle Mariners' Nelson Cruz slides safely into home on a Red Sox fielding error on a third inning ball hit by teammate Ryon Healy, not pictured, as Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez takes the late throw. The Boston Red Sox host the Seattle Mariners in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on June 23, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - JUNE 23: Seattle Mariners' Nelson Cruz slides safely into home on a Red Sox fielding error on a third inning ball hit by teammate Ryon Healy, not pictured, as Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez takes the late throw. The Boston Red Sox host the Seattle Mariners in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on June 23, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Even the best teams can have a weakness. Despite entering the All-Star break with baseballs best record, the Boston Red Sox could look to upgrade at catcher. Will a deal come to fruition?

The Boston Red Sox played to a 68-30 record in the first half of the 2018 season. When a team plays to that line, it’s pretty difficult to pinpoint where any potential weaknesses may lay.

Boston has been a force due to its solid rotation, explosive offense and strong bullpen. Production has come from nearly everywhere on the roster.

Behind the dish, though, things have been less than ideal for this championship contender.

The trio of Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart and Sandy Leon has slashed .220 with 7 HR’s and 37 RBI’s. To make matters worse, Vazquez is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with surgery for a fractured finger.

At first thought, it appears to be a perfect scenario for GM Dave Dombrowski to deal. His team is arguably the best in baseball with its sights clearly set on the World Series.

If this trade deadline is anything like Dombrowski’s past ones, then we should expect him to pull out all the stops to land someone.

Except, it might not be so easy.

In this years barren catching market, it’s J.T. Realmuto and everyone else. The Miami Marlins’ All-Star has been the top backstop in the MLB this season.

As a trade chip, though, he instantly becomes the most valuable asset for any team looking to upgrade at the two spot.

He’s out-performed Boston’s triumvirate by a mile with his line of .310 /.365/.536 and 14 HR’s and 45 RBI’s. Realmuto offers the type of production that the Red Sox should covet; hitting for average, some power and solid defense.

While his numbers stand out, it won’t be easy to acquire his services. Per Jon Heyman of FanCred sports, the Washington Nationals’ could look to deal one of their best prospects (or two) for Realmuto.

If Washington went through with an offer of Victor Robles or Carter Kieboom, it’s unlikely Boston could offer anything close to it.

The farm system lacks blue-chip prospects as a result of the Chris Sale deal and names graduating off the list (Andrew Benintendi, Rafael Devers).

With this being said, Boston could turn its eyes towards Tampa Bay Rays’ backstop Wilson Ramos.

More from Boston Red Sox

The AL Starter at the dish before a hamstring injury, Ramos has hit for a .297 average with 14 HR’s and 53 RBI’s in the first half.

Unlike Realmuto, Ramos will be a free agent after the season. However, if Tampa Bay makes him available, the price tag would be higher for the Sox due to dealing within the division.

With Realmuto’s price-tag expected to be out of reach for Boston, Ramos could be a solid Plan B.

However, there is one thing that could make Dombrowski pull the trigger on a deal for the Marlins’ backstop; the Houston Astros. According to Heyman, the defending champions have the best shot at him.

Next: Cubs Looking to Upgrade at Bullpen?

While a deal between Boston and Miami seems unlikely, don’t count the Red Sox out until the deadline has passed. Dave Dombrowski might do whatever it takes to bring down Houston and improve an already stacked contender in Beantown.

Home/Boston Red Sox