AL East Rankings: Does Wieters departure hurt the Baltimore Orioles?

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Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon (3) hits an RBI single in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Boston Red Sox

Red Sox’s Catchers: Sandy Leon, Christian Vasquez, Blake Swihart

The catcher position in the AL East is not exactly the strongest. Which leads us to Sandy Leon, a catcher who was an afterthought and a defensive specialist until 2016. But, that is what you get when you have a guy coming off an ACL tear, an aging veteran and a guy new to the division with defensive questions. Of course, Leon will also have to adjust to his new-found success of 2016. If not, the man who was supposed to be the Red Sox catcher of the future is waiting in the wings.

Leon hit .310/.369/.479 in 78 games in 2016, with 7 HRs, 17 2Bs, 35 RBIs and 36 runs. Before that, he had a total of less than 250 plate appearances to his name, and his career batting average submarined below the Mendoza line.

Leon has always been a good defensive catcher, which is what kept him in the majors originally in 2016. With a dWAR of 0.8 and a runs above average of 16, Leon will likely have a chance to start.

But, it is no guarantee with Vazquez on the roster. He missed all of 2015 due to injury and came back to hit .227/.277/.308 in 2016, not what the Red Sox were expecting.

He had 1 HR, nine 2Bs, 12 RBIs and 21 runs in 184 plate appearances. Not exactly what the Red Sox were looking for from their star. His defensive numbers were also subpar, with runs above average of -10.

Swihart is supposed to be transitioning to the outfield but may end up as a catcher if needed, or if both of these players struggle.

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