The Red Sox have designated A.J. Pierzynski for assignment and called up Christian Vazquez from Pawtucket. Vazquez, 23, will be behind the plate tonight, catching Rubby De La Rosa.
According to tweets posted by WEEI's Alex Speier, John Farrell said, "We're turning the page in terms of investing in young players." and that Vazquez is up to stay and has a chance to be "a frontline catcher for years to come". Vazquez batted .279/.336/.385 for Pawtucket in 66 games this year.
Sox Prospects:
Plus defensive catcher with a strong, wide frame and solid agility behind the plate. Quick release, plus-to-better arm. Consistently timed quicker than 1.9 seconds on throws to second base. Struggled in the past blocking balls in the dirt, but has made strong strides improving with controlling his body to front offerings. Firm when receiving pitches. Quick feet. Smooth footwork when firing out of crouch. Learning to lead behind the plate. Average bat speed. Has worked to quicken swing load. Extends on offerings middle-to-away well. Gets tied up by higher velocity fastballs on inner third. Must increase hitting zones to make consistent contact in higher levels. Tends to be fooled by sharp breaking balls. Fringe-average-to-average power potential. Capable of driving balls into the gap hard.In 72 games, AJP was a bust at the plate (.254/.286/.348) and a liability behind it.
Neither Pierzynski nor David Ross will be with the Red Sox in 2015. The team might as well let Vazquez get accustomed to the majors as soon as possible. It's not like the team will be pushing for a playoff spot in these remaining 72 games.
10 comments:
whoah. 2% path to victory here we come!
Well, I'm watching tonight's game now!
My guess is that not too many people will be upset by this move. I look forward to Vasquez nailing potential base stealers night after night after night...
Eric Wilbur HATES the Wally Wave: It's Time to Wave Farewell to this Nightly Absurdity:
"What the %$#@ is this? One would assume it was a NESN innovation in search for another in-game sponsor, except no company wants to risk the embarrassment of attaching its name to this disaster. ... If only this wreck were the only “innovation” that NESN has chosen to inflict on viewers this season, from pop-up facts to player bios that the network seems to treat as avant-garde extensions to the game. ... It now seems though that the network is content with playing to the lowest common denominator, assuming that its viewership is so dumb that it looks forward to idiotic bits like the Wally Wave. Or that we are all 6 years old."
Well, that was money well spent. For a team that two offseasons ago seemed to really buy into the idea of chemistry and "character guys" in the clubhouse, it's insane why they spent money for half a season of Pierzynski instead of ponying up the qualifying offer for Salty.
I think it would also be amusing to revisit the line that the media kept pushing when Pierzynki was signed. "He's one of those guys like Youk. You hate him when he plays for the other team, but you love him when he's your guy!"
Eric Wilbur HATES the Wally Wave
How could ANYONE hate the Wally Wave? It looks like crazy good times! *insert eyeroll*
Well, that was money well spent. For a team that two offseasons ago seemed to really buy into the idea of chemistry and "character guys" in the clubhouse, it's insane why they spent money for half a season of Pierzynski instead of ponying up the qualifying offer for Salty.
I don't blame the Sox for letting Salty go but, yeah, Pierzynski was not a good fit here. He had zero plate discipline and was a defensively liability. Maybe he had great clubhouse presence but I can only grade him by what I saw on the field.
The reason the Sox didn't resign Salty on a 3 or 4 year deal was because they didn't want to block Vasquez. Pierzynski was on a one year deal that is why he was signed.It wasn't because of character or anything else. Geta clue.
Geta clue.
No need for that.
You already made your point.
What I learned from SoSH today:
Cafardo actually offered a defense of Bobby Valentine today. I don't have a link (and I won't go find one) and I have no idea why he decided to carry some more BV water today, but he did.
Quite possibly an exact quote: "Bobby Valentine, hired to be the disciplinarian Terry Francona wasn't, was never backed."
Simply amazing. What a fucking hack.
Kevin, let me ask you this. Do you think the contract that Salty signed was prohibitively expensive? I'm assuming your answer is no.
Even those prospects the front office are high on, are by no means slam dunks to be major league All stars. Salty would've provided a very affordable "insurance policy," a known quantity that the staff was already comfortable with, in case guys like Swihart and Vasquez never realize their potential.
And in a best case scenario if those guys do pan out, then they simply trade Salty.
Also, I was under the impression that the qualifying offer was *not* the same thing as a 3-4 year contract offer, which you seem to be equating.
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