Red Sox C Swihart not likely to move to first base
When it comes to catching depth, the Boston Red Sox will have a "good" problem heading into the 2016 season.
Christian Vasquez, who has missed the entire 2015 season with Tommy John surgery, is considered the top defensive catcher in the game. Players and coaches have called him a "once-in-a-lifetime" type of talent behind the plate, according to the Boston Herald.
He will likely resume full-time catching duties next season. This is where their troubles lie.
Blake Swihart has performed at the plate in his rookie season, hitting .272 with 25 RBI in 261 at-bats.
Even with these two catchers vying for a starting spot, the Red Sox say that there are no plans for Swihart to first base.
“I know he’s a very athletic individual and an athletic catcher, a good all-around player," Dave Dombrowski said. But all we’ve ever discussed is him being a catcher for now.”
Interim manager Torey Lovullo added his thoughts on Swihart: "Blake is a great athlete. We all know that. And he’s going to be a great player for a lot of years for the Boston Red Sox. But him playing first base has not been discussed.”
Behind these two young catchers is veteran backup Ryan Hanigan.
It will be interesting to see how Dombrowski approaches this situation and if one of the catchers will be traded to shore up other weaknesses in the 2016 team.
(h/t Boston Herald)
