Padres-Royals Freddy Fermin trade finally comes full circle after a telling signing

The Padres made the trade for Freddy Fermin with the Kansas City Royals at the 2025 trade deadline for one reason: to increase the offensive production at the position.

To be quite frank, San Diego had quite literally seen negative production at catcher last season, with Elías Díaz and Martín Maldonado. The two averaged a wRC+ of 67.5 and tallied a total bWAR of -0.4. These two factors indicate that they were hurting the Padres more than being a useful asset.

The Padres traded away a pair of pitchers, Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek, to get Fermin. As it stands today, you could definitely say that this is an overpay.

Fermin got off to a hot start, but it wasn’t enough to make the Padres a threat in the postseason. With Elías Díaz behind him, there was little to no offense at the catcher position.

Royals signing Elias Díaz makes Padres’ Freddy Fermin trade feel full circle again

Funny enough, Díaz ended up signing a minor-league deal with the team that the Padres were fleeced by. This made the trade nearly go full circle.

The Kansas City Royals brought in Elías Díaz on a minor league contract. He is expected to report to the team’s spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona, sometime this week.

During his time with the Padres in 2025, the 35-year-old was well below average, as he slashed .204/.270/.337 with a 68 OPS+ and struck out 26% of the time.

A catching roomed that was manned by Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin  before August of last season, the Royals were in the market to add a backup catcher to the mix, and they did just that.

While losing Díaz doesn’t necessarily hurt the Padres, it definitely raises questions about what the Padres plan to build behind Freddy Fermin. As it stands, it will be Luis Campusano serving as the backup.