Padres embarrassed by ex-teammate, could be eyeing reunion ahead of trade deadline

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the San Diego Padres find themselves at a familiar crossroads. With a roster that's battled offensive inconsistency and key injuries, the club is once again exploring upgrades to stay competitive in the National League playoff race. This year, the conversations have centered around two critical needs at left field and catcher.

Offensive reinforcements are a clear priority. While San Diego has no shortage of star power, they also have glaring holes in the lineup. The catching position, in particular, has been a black hole offensively. Through early July, Padres catchers have slashed just .206/.269/.325 as a group, good for a 70 wRC+ and ranking them near the bottom of the league.

Elias Díaz and Martín Maldonado have both struggled mightily at the plate, offering very little in terms of offensive upside. With limited internal options and few quality bats available on the market, it may be time for the Padres to consider an unconventional option — one they already know quite well.

Could Padres right a wrong by reuniting with former catcher?

After the Padres opted not to bring him back this past offseason, Kyle Higashioka signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Texas Rangers. While the veteran backstop has never been an offensive juggernaut, his recent visit to Petco Park served as a reminder of what the Padres let walk out the door.

In a three-game set against San Diego over the July 4th weekend, Higashioka torched his former team. On Saturday night, he single-handedly powered Texas to a 7-4 victory, driving in five runs and reaching base in each of his first four plate appearances. He launched a two-run homer in the third, lined an RBI single in the fourth, added a sac fly in the sixth, and tacked on another RBI single in the eighth. It was a statement performance — one that came with more than a hint of irony.

With that outburst, Higashioka raised his career OPS at Petco Park to .857, the best mark he holds at any ballpark where he’s logged at least 15 games. Not bad for a guy the Padres considered expendable during the offseason.

Now, would a reunion move the needle dramatically for San Diego? Most likely not. But for a club that’s getting virtually nothing out of its current catching tandem, it might be time to reconnect with an old friend. Higashioka brings familiarity, solid defensive acumen, and just enough pop to make him a serviceable stopgap.

And after what he just did to them in their own house, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Padres are giving that idea more thought than they’d care to admit.