Now that the 2026 MLB regular season is getting closer, the majority of this year’s top free agents have found their new homes. As a result of this, we are seeing notable moves around the league starting to slow down a bit when it comes to new signings.
While this is the case, teams are still on the hunt for more depth as they prepare for Opening Day. There are also some interesting free agents with plenty of major league experience who are still looking for new contracts, so we should continue to see a good amount of depth signings between now and the start of the regular season.
Now, a new intriguing signing has been made, as a former Boston Red Sox catcher has landed a minor-league deal with a team in the American League West.
Former Red Sox Catcher Christian Vazquez Signs With Houston Astros
According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, former Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on Saturday morning.
“Veteran catcher Christian Vázquez, who was a part of the Astros’ World Series championship team in 2022, is returning to the club on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Vázquez will join the Astros after he’s done playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic,” McTaggart wrote.
Vazquez is a player who the Astros know well, as he spent the final portion of the 2022 season with Houston after being traded by the Red Sox. Furthermore, as McTaggart noted, Vazquez also won a World Series ring during his lone season as a member of the Astros. Now, he will be looking to impress during his minor league contract in hopes of getting another chance on Houston’s major league roster from here.
There is no real harm in the Astros bringing in Vazquez with this move. The former Red Sox will now provide them with another option behind the plate and give them a solid depth player with experience. This is not a bad thing at all for an Astros club that could use a boost right now.
Vazquez Will Be Looking for the Chance to Bounce Back
Now that Vazquez has landed this minor league deal with the Astros, he will be hoping for the chance to put together a bounce-back season for them in 2026. Vazquez is coming off a rough 2025 season, as he had three home runs, 14 RBIs, and an underwhelming .189 batting average in 65 games with the Minnesota Twins. With numbers like these, there is no question that Vazquez struggled this past campaign, but the new season will offer him a clean slate.
Vazquez’s past success also makes him a bounce-back candidate to watch. When playing at his best, the 35-year-old catcher can make an impact at the plate. This was especially so during the 2019 season with the Red Sox, as he set career highs with 23 home runs and 72 RBIs. He also has had a batting average over .250 five times during his career.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if Vazquez can make an impact with the Astros after landing this minor league deal. There is no real harm in Houston taking a chance on a 993-game veteran catcher with two World Series rings on his resume.
Former Red Sox 23-Home Run Catcher Signs in AL West