Padres Rumors: AJ Preller trying to swing trade with division rival before deadline

Okay, by now the entire 619 area code knows that San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations AJ Preller is in love with the idea of acquiring Chicago White Sox All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet.

The trade rumors haven't stopped for the past two months, but there's been little to no movement from the Padres or the White Sox. In fact, if anything, the latest demands from Crochet's camp could make trading for the left-hander a bit more complicated. Crochet is reportedly tying a contract extension to any trade, and his availability for a potential playoff run is connected to that request.

But it now appears that Crochet is not the only target on Preller's radar at the upcoming MLB trade deadline. According to MLB insider and New York Post columnist Jon Heyman, the Padres could be in the market for a catcher, and there just happens to be one in their own division who might be a good fit.

Padres Rumors: Rockies catcher Elias Díaz could be on the Friars wishlist at the MLB trade deadline

Heyman cites Colorado Rockies backstop Elias Díaz as a potential trade target for the Padres ahead of the July 30 deadline. The Rockies are known to be shopping a few players, and Díaz is one of them. The 33-year-old is hitting .283/.333/.402 this season and has one of the lower strikeout rates (17.8%) in the game.

Díaz is also highly regarded for his skills behind the dish, and checks nearly every box. In terms of all the advanced defensive metrics — caught stealing above-average, framing, and pop time — Díaz is in the top 84th percentile or better, according to Baseball Savant.

Current Padres' catcher Luis Campusano also has a low strikeout rate, but his defensive statistics are horrendous. Campusano ranks in the 30th percentile or lower in every one of the aforementioned advanced metrics.

Díaz is on an expiring contract and will be a free agent next winter. And while the former All-Star could be on the Padres' radar, Díaz represents the only serviceable catcher who's an obvious trade candidate this summer, and the Pads just have to hope other teams aren't in on the bidding.

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