GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Over an 11-year Major League career, Christian Vázquez has seen quite a bit, including winning two World Series rings, one with the 2018 Red Sox and another with the ‘22 Astros. Along the way, the veteran backstop also caught the historic combined no-hitter Houston threw against Philadelphia in Game 4 of the 2022 Fall Classic.
Now 35 and a free agent after completing his three-year, $30 million contract with the Twins, Vázquez is coming off helping Cangrejeros de Santurce capture the 2025-26 winter league championship in Puerto Rico. The next goal is the 2026 Caribbean Series title at Guadalajara's Estadio Panamericano de Béisbol this week, in his first time playing in the event.
All Caribbean Series games will air live on MLB Network and stream on MLBN Direct-To-Consumer and MLB.TV. View the full Caribbean Series schedule here.
“It’s my first one, so it’s special,” said Vázquez, who has played in the Puerto Rican League with the Atenienses de Manatí, Indios de Mayagüez, Senadores de San Juan and Cangrejeros over parts of nine seasons. “I think you want to hit all the checkpoints in your career and represent the island everywhere. We’re here representing Puerto Rico. I’m super happy to wear the Puerto Rico uniform, and we’re having an awesome time here in Mexico. It’s beautiful, the stadium is beautiful and the fans are great. So, I’m super happy to be here.”
In the Cangrejeros’ first two games at the Caribbean Series -- a walk-off win over Mexico Green’s Tomateros de Culiacán on Sunday and a loss to the Dominican Republic’s Leones del Escogido on Monday -- Vásquez has gone 1-for-7 with a run scored as Santurce’s starting catcher.
“Every win in the Caribbean Series is important,” Vázquez said, as his club was scheduled for their third game in the tournament Tuesday night against host team Charros de Jalisco (Mexico Red). “Every win we can get is super important for making it to the semifinals and the final.”
At this point, Vázquez’s 2026 is still to be determined as Spring Training approaches, although he’s likely to be on Team Puerto Rico’s roster for next month’s World Baseball Classic.
“Right now, we’re enjoying ourselves at the Caribbean Series. I think you have to live day by day, enjoying every moment that God gives us on this field,” said the native of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, which is also the hometown of the famous catching trio of brothers Bengie, José and Yadier Molina. “I’m still a free agent, waiting to sign. We’re happy the way we are, here with family enjoying ourselves.”
The youngest of the Molinas, Yadier, has been active in the dugout since his retirement as a player in 2022, managing in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean Series and the World Baseball Classic, in addition to an instructor role for the Cardinals. As a long-time catcher, does Vázquez believe he could also bring that knowledge of the game to a coaching or managerial position when he retires?
“Yes, I’ve thought about it,” Vázquez said. “But I want to enjoy my family first. I’ve spent a lot of time in the field. Not wasted time of course, because this is a blessing, right? That’s how we make a living for our families. But I want to enjoy my children, travel … then I’ll make that decision.”