San Diego Padres: Three catchers to target at the deadline

The San Diego Padres need catching help, and these three guys should be on their radar.

It has been a rough year for Padres catchers in 2020. Not only have they had to deal with injuries at the position, but the lack of offense is also a significant concern. Defensively staunch backstop Austin Hedges, one of the best defenders in the game at the position, is slashing .163/.241/.367 with a 64 wRC+.

His cohort and battery mate Francisco Mejia is currently on the injured list and is slashing .079/.146/.184 through 16 games. Luis Torrens, who was recalled from the alternate site when Mejía went on the shelf, last week, has hit just .167 through eight plate appearances.

In an otherwise bleak trade market, due mainly to the seasonal fallout resulting from the national pandemic, there are fewer options of valuable players for teams to target. The Padres’ main market focus should be the catcher position. Here are three guys to be targeting at the deadline.

San Diego Padres: West coast is the best coast

The first name on this list has shockingly produced a strong season thus far, and that is Seattle Mariners catcher Austin Nola. Nola has been around professional baseball since 2012 when the Miami Marlins drafted him in the fifth round.

More from Friars on Base

• Padres fighting with hated rival to sign quality veteran relief pitcher
• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher

In the fall of 2018, the M’s traded former prospect and the expectant backstop of Mike Zunino to the Tampa Bay Rays. Once Nola was released from Miami, Seattle jumped on acquiring him, and so far, he has been a solid contributor.

Last season in 55 games in Triple-A Tacoma, Nola slashed .327/.415/.520, seven home runs, 37 RBI, good enough for a 131 wRC+. It was by far and away Nola’s best professional season. Then, last season, with splitting catching duties with Tom Murphy, Nola slashed .269/.342/.454 and put together a 1.5 WAR season.

Nola has been on another level through the first part of 2020. He is hitting .315 over his first 25 games and has significantly cut down on the strikeouts, improving from 23.6 percent last year to 15.8 percent this season. Nola has put together a 1.0 WAR season up to this point.

Despite the age concern as Nola is 30 years old, he is on a contract barely valued above league minimum and would not cost much to acquire, even just as a rental. The Mariners are struggling at 12-19 and may be willing to move Nola. If it is indeed the case, the Padres should be there to scoop the veteran up.

San Diego Padres: Making a huge splash

The last guy on this list is a guy who has been considered a superstar for most of his big league career, and that is catcher J.T. Realmuto. A staple in Miami and now over the past couple of years in Philadelphia, the 29-year-old veteran is scheduled to hit free agency in 2021. He is on a one-year/$10 million deal.

In terms of overall value, Realmuto would easily be the best acquisition of the three. It would also require more talent headed back to Philly in a deal, but depending on what the Phillies could ask in return, it may be worth asking about at a minimum.

Realmuto has put together a strong season in 2020. He is slashing .284/.333/.600, nine home runs, 25 RBI and 145 wRC+. Realmuto has been worth 1.1 WAR this year. San Diego should be willing to part with a package of prospects, and because of their depth in the minors, there wouldn’t be much of an issue to acquire Realmuto, even just as a rental. It will be interesting to follow how likely a target Realmuto could be before the deadline.