Ramon Vazquez has been with the Red Sox since 2018, and now he could get an opportunity to manage the Minnesota Twins, based on current reports.
According to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post on Tuesday, the Minnesota Twins are seeking permission to interview Ramon Vazquez for their managerial opening.
The Twins fired Rocco Baldelli at the conclusion of a disappointing season that saw them finish fourth in the American League Central.
Vazauez has been with the Red Sox since 2018 and currently serves as their bench coach. He's held that position since 2023.
Potential impact on the Red Sox
Bench coaches are not something we often think about, so on the outside, there's probably little impact, but staff continuity is always important. Cora trusts Vazquez, and that goes a long way over the course of a season.
The Minnesota situation
The Twins are in a difficult and confusing situation, so it would be a tough job for Vazquez to come in and take undoubtedly.
Minnesota stayed stagnant last offseason because of a potential sale, and then elected not to sell after all. Then, they traded away the likes of Carlos Correa, Louie Varland, Griffin Jax, Ty France, and Willi Castro at the trade deadline, plummeting themselves in the second half.
Given the financial situation, they don't figure to be big players in free agency this offseason either, and they could trade ace Joe Ryan this winter. Ironically, the Red Sox have been linked to him as a potential trade partner.
They still have Byron Buxton and ace Pablo Lopez.
About Vazquez
Currently 49 years old, Vazquez spent parts of nine seasons in the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Red Sox, Cleveland, Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates. A lifetime .254 hitter, he hit 22 home runs and stole 20 bases while being used as a utility infielder. He posted a career-high 110 OPS+ with the Rangers in 2008 (105 games).
The Red Sox will not hold Vazquez back from this interview, as that's typically only done when the position being interviewed for is a lateral one. This is clearly a step up.
As noted by MLBTradeRumors, he did manage in Puerto Rico and spent one year managing in the minor leagues in the Astros system.