Astros Eye Free-Agent Catcher Christian Vázquez for Depth

The Houston Astros went into the offseason with one thing on their mind: pitching. But as spring training creeps closer, there’s this other, quieter question about their catchers. Victor Caratini left in free agency, and now Houston’s figuring out whether to grab a veteran behind the plate to help out young starter Yainer Díaz and patch up a pretty thin depth chart.

Astros’ Catching Situation After Caratini

Caratini’s exit left the Astros with a shaky catching situation. Díaz is the main guy now, but there’s not much experience behind him, which feels risky for a team expecting to make a playoff run and needing sharp game management for their pitchers.

At the moment, Houston only has two catchers on the 40-man roster. That alone hints the front office might add someone before Opening Day.

Yainer Díaz and the Current Depth Chart

Yainer Díaz, 27, is set as the starter. He’s earned it with his bat and his defense keeps getting better.

Behind him is César Salazar, who barely has any big-league time and can’t be sent to the minors anymore. Salazar’s Triple-A numbers: .226/.361/.348 in 799 plate appearances. He’s got patience, but his power’s fading and his speed isn’t great these days.

Why Christian Vázquez Is on Houston’s Radar

The Astros have their eye on a familiar face: Christian Vázquez. He spent part of 2022 with Houston and people still talk about his defense.

Sources say a reunion isn’t close, but the history here makes Vázquez a pretty logical option if Houston wants a low-risk veteran.

Defense, Experience, and Pitching Management

Vázquez really stands out for his glove and his brain. He’s known for framing pitches, calling games, and just handling a pitching staff. For a team built around pitching, that stuff matters.

His bat, though, is a different story. In three years with Minnesota, he hit just .215/.267/.311. In 2025, things fell off even more: .189/.271/.274 over 214 plate appearances. Still, if he’s just backing up, Houston probably cares more about his defense.

Risk Assessment if Díaz Goes Down

The main reason to bring in a veteran? Insurance. If Díaz gets hurt, Houston doesn’t have many good options.

Internal and External Alternatives

Behind Salazar, they could try Collin Price or invitee Carlos Pérez. Both have some issues, either at the plate or behind it. Not exactly ideal if you’re chasing a title.

Other affordable free-agent or waiver options include:

Luxury Tax Flexibility Makes a Move Possible

Money-wise, the Astros have a little room to breathe. Projections put them about $5.5 million under the $244 million Competitive Balance Tax threshold for 2026.

That gap means they could sign a low-cost veteran or grab someone off waivers without messing up their tax plan.

What Vázquez Would Mean for Houston

The Astros’ interest in Christian Vázquez says a lot about their approach. They want to protect Díaz and keep the pitching staff steady.

They’re also trying to avoid getting stuck with a thin group of catchers during a long season. Whether it’s Vázquez or maybe another veteran with a defensive edge, Houston looks ready to bring in some experience behind the plate.

It’s a quiet way to shore up one of baseball’s toughest spots. Makes sense, right?

 
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