4 players the San Diego Padres can get at the trade deadline who will help them in 2024

4) Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz can help the Padres win in 2024

Another player who has broken out this season is Rockies catcher Elias Diaz. The 32-year-old not only made his first All-Star team this season, but was the All-Star Game MVP after hitting a clutch home run late to help the National League earn a rare win.

Diaz has spent each of the last four seasons with the Rockies and is enjoying his best season in 2023. He's slashed .271/.325/.428 with ten home runs and 46 RBI in 86 games this season for Colorado.

I get the hesitation the Padres would have in trading for Diaz. Despite some solid offensive numbers, he only has an 87 WRC+ mainly because he plays half of the time at Coors Field.

Despite that fact, Diaz would still be a massive upgrade offensively for the Padres behind the plate. Padres catchers have a WRC+ of 56 which ranks 27th in the majors, and their -0.7 fWAR ranks 29th. Most of that is thanks to Austin Nola and his struggles, but it's not like the trio of Gary Sanchez, Luis Campusano, and Brett Sullivan have been much better.

Diaz is under contract through the 2024 season at a very reasonable $6 million figure. Adding a bigger offensive force like Salvador Perez would be nice, but it's unlikely that he's available. Diaz will be, and would be a massive upgrade for San Diego, as our own Renee Dechert discussed in this article.