Following a verbal agreement, the Padres announced the signing of a superb catcher…..
Aug 8, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of an official San Diego Padres New Era on field hat against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Padres need to cut payroll this offseason, but there may be a particular target out there who can give them plenty of bang for their buck.
Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that the Houston Astros are facing some competition from the Padres as they look to re-sign free agent catcher Martin Maldonado. Rome adds that the Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox are also among the teams that have checked in on Maldonado.
The 37-year-old Maldonado, a Gold Glove winner in 2017, has spent the last six seasons on the Astros (though he briefly left and then returned in 2019). He started on Houston’s 2022 World Series team but is now hitting the open market once again. While Maldonado is old, slow, and has a batting average that is in the gutter (.191 over his entire Astros tenure), he can be a clutch power hitter, provides stellar defense, and is highly regarded as a veteran leader and game manager.
San Diego is an interesting situation at the catcher position. Gary Sanchez, who was a surprise contributor in 2023 with his bat and his chemistry with Blake Snell, is a free agent this winter (as is Austin Barnes). That leaves Luis Campusano, a quality hitter but a shoddy defender, and Brett Sullivan, who is a low-ceiling defensive specialist. Elite 17-year-old prospect Ethan Salas, also a catcher, lurks in the minor leagues for the Padres as well.
Maldonado might not get much more than an inexpensive one-year deal at this point. But he possesses plenty of tools (including some very underrated ones) that could help the disappointing Padres get closer to their ceilling.
AL contender reportedly enters Juan Soto trade talks
Aug 8, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Juan Soto (22) runs to the dugout during the middle of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Trade interest in San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto is heating up, and a new American League contender appears to have entered the bidding.
The Toronto Blue Jays have discussed a Soto trade with the Padres, according to Ken Rosenthal, Dennis Lin, and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. A number of other teams have also at least spoken to the Padres about possibly acquiring Soto.
The Blue Jays certainly appear determined to do something big this offseason. They have been named as a potential suitor for Shohei Ohtani as well, with Soto serving as a potential backup plan if the two-way star signs elsewhere. Their sense of urgency is understandable, as they have made little noise in the playoffs despite a hugely talented core of players.
The Padres are increasingly likely to trade Soto, who is eligible to become a free agent after the 2024 season. He has been heavily linked to the New York Yankees, but stiff competition is already emerging as the process continues.
Still just 25, Soto hit .275 with 35 home runs and a .410 OBP for San Diego in 2023.
Rays open to trading All-Star outfielder?
The Tampa Bay Rays are rarely quiet when it comes to offseason trades, and they could be open to a significant one in the coming weeks.
The Rays are at least willing to listen to trade interest for star outfielder Randy Arozarena, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The team is not actively trying to trade Arozarena, but with a potential $9 million salary for 2024 and further raises to come, they will not shut down trade interest.
A few teams have already asked the Rays about Arozarena, and the list of interested clubs may grow in the coming weeks. The 28-year-old would likely fetch a “significant windfall” in any trade, according to Passan.
The Rays are always at least open to trading their higher-salaried players, with one other standout likely to be moved this offseason. Arozarena may be a core player, but he will not be treated any differently.
Arozarena was an All-Star for the first time in 2023, hitting .254 with 23 home runs and 83 RBIs.
