The MLB trade deadline is always filled with shocking moves from teams around the league, but the MLB world saw an extremely raw moment on Tuesday when Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vásquez realized that he was being traded.
It was reported on Monday night just before the Red Sox’s matchup against the Houston Astros that Vásquez was being traded to the Astros, which created for an extremely awkward and emotional interview before the game for Vásquez.
He was asked about the trade just minutes after he was told about the transaction, and was clearly broken up about the news, saying that “it’s just a business” before being pulled away from the interview by the Red Sox PR team.
Christian Vazquez was traded while taking BP. He will now walk across the stadium to join the Astros. Life comes at you fast…pic.twitter.com/uTJfGNuyJ6
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 1, 2022
Being traded is obviously an emotional moment in a player’s career, but it makes it even weirder that Vásquez had to be on camera to discuss the move just minutes after finding out.
Many believe that it was wrong for the media to not at least give Vásquez some time to digest the move.
His entire life just changed and the first thought from some reporters is to crowd him with microphones and cameras. https://t.co/Hn9EaetYMS
— Matt Cannata (@CannataPFN) August 1, 2022
Classy guy. Classless move by the Red Sox. https://t.co/IfJr2BHA4M
— John M. Guilfoil (@johnguilfoil) August 2, 2022
How do the Red Sox even let him on the field knowing that they were trading him? https://t.co/p3OyjuOkaJ
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) August 2, 2022
Wild that happened right before a game https://t.co/FHzzrwMTPK
— Mitchell Riberal – KQ2 (@Mitch_Riberal) August 1, 2022
The story isn’t bigger than the human being. Let the man process that his life has just changed. Props to the guys that got him outta there. I know it’s the medias job but that is just gross
— Chucky Stone (@chucky_stone) August 1, 2022
That’s heartbreaking stuff right there man. Have mercy on the guy
— Nick@Night (@deeeg22) August 1, 2022
Vásquez has played his entire eight-year career with the Red Sox, so he clearly has a strong connection to both the organization and his teammates, which makes this situation even harder.
It is definitely a sad side of the business to see someone like Vásquez leaving the organization that they have grown up a part of.
He should have a huge role as the new starting catcher for the Astros, who are currently in great position for a playoff spot in the American League while the Red Sox are falling further and further down the AL East standings.