Red Sox Deal Christian Vazquez Out West

Buyers or sellers? That was the question facing the Boston Red Sox for the past few weeks. Today, they perhaps answered that question—sort of—by trading pending free agent catcher Christian Vazquez to the Houston Astros. 

The Houston Astros are finalizing a deal to acquire catcher Christian Vázquez from the Boston Red Sox, sources tell ESPN.

The Red Sox are playing in Houston tonight, so Vázquez presumably will just walk around the stadium to join his new teammates. And the Sox's sale begins.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2022

Boston sends a couple of minor league prospects to Houston in return. 

As noted by Insider Jeff Passan, the Red Sox are playing the Astros tonight, so Vazquez will simply finish taking his batting practice cuts, switch uniforms, and walk across the field to the other dugout. 

Christian Vázquez takes BP in a Red Sox uniform for what seems to be the final time. pic.twitter.com/rr5Heo9PBF

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 1, 2022

The Red Sox have a number of players on expiring contracts that were thought to be on the trade block, none more so than Vazquez and starter Nathan Eovaldi.

"It's a business," said Vazquez as he prepared for the uni swap. The 8-year veteran has spent his entire career with the Red Sox.

He's hitting .282, and has had plenty of clutch hits in his career. He'll bring a big offensive boost to the Astros, who've been working the trade lines looking desperately for a catcher. 

Mission accomplished. 

But wait, the Red Sox weren't done yet, balancing off their "sell", by "buying" Tommy Pham from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Red Sox are acquiring Tommy Pham from the Reds. With Vazquez being moved to the Astros, Boston appears to be trying to walk the buy/sell tightrope. #Interesting

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2022

A crazy day for Red Sox Nation. 

Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports