Christian Vazquez is locked in as a Boston Red Sox catcher for the next few years, and Chris Sale couldn’t be happier.
The Red Sox on Saturday signed Vazquez to a three-year extension with a club option for 2022. When asked about the deal, Sale revealed the surprising way in which he learned of the news, as well as his ensuing conversation with the talented backstop.
Here’s what Sale had to say about Vazquez’s extension, per CNHI Sports Boston’s Chris Mason:
Sale on Vazquez's new deal: "I swear on everything I love, I saw it on the bottom of the ticker. I looked over at (Price) and was like, "Did Vazqy sign an extension…?' So I went over there and was like, "Did you sign an extension?' He was like, 'Yeah!' I was like, 'Heck yeah!'"
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) March 24, 2018
The feeling’s mutual.
Interestingly, Sale rarely is paired with Vazquez on days he pitches — backup catcher Sandy Leon caught the lanky left-hander 31 times last season. Still, Sale is thrilled to have Vazquez around for the foreseeable future.
“That’s huge,” Sale said at JetBlue Park, via Maureen Mullen of the Associated Press. “He’s a younger guy, too, so having him around, he’s been around a while, around here a while, so we all love him. Well worth it. He earned it, every last penny of it.”
Sale’s elation Saturday morning quickly was subdued when the Red Sox took on the Houston Astros. The 28-year-old exited in the first inning after being hit by a line drive and later was diagnosed with a left hip contusion.
The staff ace fully expects to pitch in Thursday’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, though.
