This offseason, one of the goals for the San Diego Padres is to balance out their batting order. The front office needs to add a left-handed hitter, and the market dictates that the catcher’s position has several options.
The catcher position has been a revolving door in San Diego for the last few seasons. Austin Nola received the majority of the playing time from 2020 to 2022, but his offensive production tailed off in the final season with the Padres. After Nola’s departure, the Friar Faithful saw a sprinkle of Victor Caratini, Jose Alfaro, Gary Sanchez, Luis Campusano, and Elias Diaz behind the dish. All had struggles in the batter’s box.
Yes, the Padres acquired a catcher, Freddie Fermin, at the trade deadline last summer, and he improved the position’s offensive production. But, it is understandable that the organization is in the market for a left-handed-hitting catcher. A name that comes to mind is Baltimore Orioles Adley Rutschman.
Orioles looking to rebuild
The Orioles are looking to rebuild their roster after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Team general manager Mike Elias began the process by handing out a long-term deal (eight-year/$67 million) to rookie catcher Samuel Basallo last August.
The signing suggests the Birds could be considering moving Rutschman if the right offer comes their way. Elias is taking a major risk in replacing a team leader with a catcher who has limited big league experience.
Rutschman is a proven LH bat
The Friars see Rutschman’s poor season as an opportunity to acquire a proven left-handed bat at a discount rate. The All-Star catcher has had a down year by his standards, as he battled through injuries that limited his availability to be in the lineup. Rutschman had career lows in batting average (.220), home runs (9), and RBI (29) in 90 games last season.
When healthy, Rutschman is considered one of the top receivers in baseball. He can also provide lineup flexibility for the next Padres manager. Rutschman can be inserted into the DH role or play first base, which allows him to team with Fermin in that day’s lineup.
The Baltimore media characterize Rutschman as the leading voice, who changed the culture of the Orioles locker room. Before he arrived from the minors, the franchise struggled to compete in the tough American League East division. Do not be surprised if Rutschman quickly becomes a fan favorite because the Friar Faithful are attracted to his work ethic.
Any potential trade with the Orioles would cost the Padres some of their top minor league prospects. Yes, the organization cleared the system’s talent pool to acquire Mason Miller, Ryan O’Hearn, and Ramon Laureano at last summer’s trade deadline.
But when you have an opportunity to land an established major league catcher who happens to bat left-handed, it is worth giving up the remaining trading pieces in your possession.
The trade package for the Friars could involve three minor league pitchers at different developmental stages in their careers. The first piece of the deal will be considered a high-ceiling prospect, who is close to major league-ready. The next pitcher is a mid-level prospect, who is a few years away from the majors, but adds depth to the 40-man roster. And the final pitcher is a lower-level prospect, who could become the centerpiece of the trade five years down the road.
The Padres are known for being aggressive and opportunistic in the trade market. Acquiring Rutschman upgrades the batting order and fits the team’s timeline in remaining a National League playoff contender.
Now, we wait to see if this is the direction the Friars go to improve their roster.