The San Diego Padres made a strategic move at the 2025 trade deadline by acquiring Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals, aiming to boost their offensive output at the catcher position. Last season, the Padres struggled significantly with Elías Díaz and Martín Maldonado, whose combined efforts resulted in a wRC+ of just 67.5 and a bWAR of -0.4. These numbers clearly indicated that the duo was more of a liability than an asset.
To secure Fermin, the Padres traded pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek-a move that, in hindsight, might seem like an overpayment. Fermin showed promise early on, but it wasn't enough to elevate the Padres into postseason contention. With Díaz still in the mix, offensive contributions from the catcher position remained minimal.
In an interesting twist, Elías Díaz has now signed a minor-league deal with the Royals, the very team that traded Fermin to the Padres. This move brings a sense of closure to the trade narrative. Díaz is set to join the Royals' spring training in Surprise, Arizona, soon.
During his stint with the Padres in 2025, the 35-year-old Díaz struggled, posting a slash line of .204/.270/.337 with a 68 OPS+ and a strikeout rate of 26%. The Royals, previously relying on Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin, were in need of a backup catcher, and Díaz fits the bill.
While Díaz's departure might not impact the Padres significantly, it does prompt questions about their future plans for the catcher position behind Freddy Fermin. Currently, Luis Campusano is expected to serve as the backup, leaving fans curious about how the Padres will shape their roster moving forward.