As the non-tender deadline approached in late November, the Padres and Marlins lined up on a minor trade. San Diego acquired catcher Jorge Alfaro for cash considerations or a player to be named later, not long after Miami had traded for Jacob Stallings to replace Alfaro as their primary backstop.
To some extent, it was a predictable acquisition. San Diego president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has shown a continued affinity for bringing in players whom the Rangers acquired during his time as a key figure in the Texas scouting department. Alfaro, whom the Rangers signed as an amateur in 2010 and who later blossomed into a top prospect, qualifies. Yet the Marlins had clearly grown dissatisfied with his up-and-down performance at the big league level, and they seemed likely to non-tender him in lieu of paying a projected $2.7MM arbitration salary if they were unable to find a taker in trade.
Yet it also marked something of a curious move for the Friars, who already had three catchers on the 40-man roster. Alfaro is out of minor league option years, meaning he’ll need to break camp with the club or be cut loose. At first glance, however, he’d seem to be fourth on the catching depth chart. Austin Nola’s first full season in San Diego was derailed by injury, but he’s an above-average backstop on both sides of the ball when healthy. Víctor Caratini didn’t have a great showing last year, but he has a strong relationship with Yu Darvish and was behind the plate for 29 of Darvish’s 30 starts last season. Top prospect Luis Campusano doesn’t have much more to prove in the minors after hitting .295/.365/.541 across 326 plate appearances as a 22-year-old in Triple-A.
With Alfaro needing to be on the big league club or cut loose, where does he fit? Perhaps just off the roster bubble. San Diego didn’t give up much to acquire Alfaro, after all. Arbitration salaries aren’t fully guaranteed until Opening Day, with players cut loose during the first half of Spring Training only entitled to thirty days’ termination pay (around one-sixth of their full season salary). In Alfaro’s case, that’s likely to be a touch under $500K. Maybe Preller and his staff saw an opportunity to get a player they like in the building, and they’re willing to move on from him before the season starts if there’s simply no room on the roster.
That said, San Diego valued Alfaro enough to acquire him before the non-tender deadline, swooping in to grab his rights before Miami cut him loose and allowed him free rein to negotiate with all 30 teams. They did so knowing he’s out of options, so they’ve certainly contemplated scenarios where he breaks camp. It seems unlikely they’d carry each of Nola, Alfaro, Caratini and Campusano on the active roster, however.
Nola and Alfaro do each have some experience at first base and in the corner outfield; Nola can play a bit of second or third base as well. That’d perhaps give manager Bob Melvin some flexibility, but both players should spend the bulk of their time at catcher. Nola’s a solid defender behind the dish, and bouncing him to less valuable positions around the diamond to accommodate Caratini or Alfaro is probably less valuable than simply deploying Nola as the primary catcher. Alfaro could see some action rotating through the corners, but he’s spent far more time behind the plate than anywhere else (2,809 2/3 MLB innings at catcher, 144 2/3 innings in the outfield, 27 1/3 frames at first base) and probably isn’t a good enough hitter to live up to the offensive burden of regularly manning a corner.
Maybe the Padres keep Nola, Caratini and Alfaro around and option Campusano back to Triple-A to start the season. So long as he continues to perform well in El Paso, there’ll be pressure to get him major league reps. Campusano, whom Baseball America recently ranked the sport’s #53 overall prospect, arguably already warrants an everyday look. One could argue the Padres aren’t in position to provide that, and San Diego should at least consider the possibility of making him available on the trade market.
San Diego isn’t going to trade a prospect of that caliber expressly because they acquired Alfaro for a song, of course. Alfaro could be let go; the same is perhaps true of Caratini (who still has a minor league option remaining), although the organization no doubt values his rapport with Darvish. Yet having a pair of veteran depth options on hand behind Nola might give Preller and his staff more comfort in contemplating a Campusano trade, which might prove a way to bring back needed outfield help.
It wouldn’t be the first time Campusano’s name were to come up in trade talks. The Padres and Nationals discussed him last summer as part of San Diego’s (ultimately unsuccessful) efforts to land Trea Turner and Max Scherzer at the deadline. Campusano was also at least mentioned in talks about the Cubs assuming some or all of Eric Hosmer’s contract.
Shedding the money due to Hosmer would certainly still be of interest to the Padres, although it seems unlikely they’d part with Campusano solely as a way to cut payroll. We’ve seen instances of teams “buying” a prospect by taking on an undesirable contract (the Giants’ Will Wilson/Zack Cozart deal, the Red Sox/Brewers Jackie Bradley Jr. and prospects for Hunter Renfroe swap are examples), but the young players involved in those moves weren’t as highly-regarded as Campusano currently is. If there’s an opportunity to move Campusano and Hosmer in a trade that also brings back MLB help — they and the Rangers reportedly kicked around frameworks of a deal that could’ve sent Hosmer and prospect Robert Hassell III to Texas for Joey Gallo last summer — San Diego could be more amenable.
However the situation resolves itself, it seems unlikely the Padres will carry all of Nola, Campusano, Caratini and Alfaro on the 40-man roster for too long after the lockout. Perhaps they’re simply stockpiling players of interest and will cut bait with one of the veteran depth options if they’re faced with a roster squeeze. But it also seems the Friars have enough short-term depth to withstand a possible Campusano trade, and we’ve repeatedly seen Preller’s willingness to act boldly if the right opportunity presents itself.
ajrodz1335
Orioles need catching
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
The Orioles need everything. Catching is probably the least of their concerns with Adley Rustchman on the horizon.
Year-long offseason
Catching may be the one thing the Orioles do not need…
Yankee Clipper
I am really stoked to see Rutchmann. He’s been hyped a bunch but the dude has immense talent. Plus catchers that excel on both sides of the ball are very few and far between.
jbigz12
The orioles have Adley Rutschman but they absolutely need catching. 1 catcher in the organization isn’t enough. Right now Jacob Nottingham is the #2 catcher which means as it stands today—he’s probably the opening day starter.
Year-long offseason
Don’t forget Anthony Bemboom!
jbigz12
Haha thanks. Couldn’t think of his name off the top of my head. Absolutely loaded at Catcher!
Hello, Newman
I was surprised when they let Severino go.
GarryHarris
Severino is better suited as a DH.
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
The Padres find themselves in a position where the ill advised Eric Hosmer signing has them stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Year-long offseason
Hosmer has an opt-out after this year so th-
I’m just kidding. He isn’t dumb enough to opt-out.
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
I can’t even believe they thought he was such a good signing he was worthy of opt-outs. People were shocked at what they gave him. They should have said no opt outs. Take it or leave it. Better yet… Take even less because we are going to regret this stupid contract anyway.
gbs42
Players are generally assumed to have taken less guaranteed money when they get opt-outs. It’s a trade-off in exchange for the flexibility the opt-out provides.
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
That is true. My point was Hosmer should have had to take both. Less money and no opt-outs. And a shorter contract… And a swift kick in the behind for being a salary cancer on a team that could actually be in serious contention if they had his salary to spend on someone other than dead weight like himself. And another kick in the behind just for fun.
gbs42
If you’re going to kick someone’s behind, it should be A.J. Preller, who signed Homer. The contract was panned the day it was announced.
JoeBrady
It was one of those moments where everyone in the world agreed on something.
Deleted Userr
@JoeBrady No there were people who liked the Hosmer signing for SD. I didn’t, but some did.
mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/padres-to-sign-eric-hos…
gbs42
I think most of those positive comments were by Hosmer’s agent and family.
Deleted Userr
@Please, Hammer. Don’t hurt ’em The opt-out doesn’t matter in Hosmer’s case. If anything it benefits the Padres as it is assumed that Hosmer would have cost more $ if they hadn’t given him an opt-out.
Deleted Userr
@gbs42 And by stymeedone and Padres2019ha
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
Yeah. Preller deserves a swift kick in the behind, too. Hosmer, Myers, Kim, Frazier, Clevinger, Kemp, Upton, Upton, Kimbrel, etc… How does he keep getting away with these terrible decisions. I know he does a great job with the farm system and drafts and such but shouldn’t he just be the director of scouting or something? Like, just in charge of the draft and the minor leagues and have a different GM or a PoBo that makes the free agent/trade decisions?
gbs42
Good point, Hammer. Maybe Preller isn’t in the best role for his skill set. Of course, he just received a long contract extension, so the Padres would need to have a serious sit-down with him if they would want him to change roles.
JoeBrady
There are always a few fans that will like whatever their team does. I remember Angels fans arguing vehemently that Pujols was a great deal.
That said, there was a good post in there about what happens to Renfroe & Margot. All Preller did was replace Myer with Hosmer, and then replace Renfroe with Myer. That the quintessential Preller go-to move, Basically replacing Renfroe with Hosmer. it was a very marginal improvement, had it worked out, at a substantial monetary cost.
JoeBrady
How does he keep getting away with these terrible decisions.
================================
I have seen worse single moves, but I’ve never seen a GM make this many bad trades. It feels like he is losing ten cents on the dollar every time he picks up the phone. Or like the opposing GM will have a perfectly even trade in mind, and then ask for a fringy top-100 prospect, and then get it.
JoeBrady
gbs42
Maybe Preller isn’t in the best role for his skill set.
==============================
I remember when Betts was put on the market, and I thought the Padres were a good target because of both their top-tier prospect, plus the sheer number of solid prospects.
I think the RS might have had maybe two 50 FV prospects plus 1-2 45-45+ types.
The Padres, IIRC, had something like 3-4 45+ types, maybe a dozen 50-types and maybe 3 55 or 60-types prospects. I know the LAD had a good number of very high-end prospects, but even they didn’t have the overwhelming depth that the Padres had. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a farm that good.
Deleted Userr
You’re not moving Hosmer in a trade that brings back MLB help.
thickiedon
To KC in some kinda swap that brings in Santana
Ha-Seong Kim
Can you imagine the padres opening the year with 5 catchers on the roster?
Year-long offseason
You might not have watched baseball in the last 6 years, but Santana hasn’t caught an inning since 2014.
larry48
Padres have 5 catchers and no starter that’s even league average.!!! Padres to suck in 2022 again.
Ha-Seong Kim
I was being facetious. On a serious note, potential prospects and money exchanged aside, who would you rather have at 1st/DH for in 22. Hosmer or Santana?
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
@Kim: If it were just for ’22 and the money doesn’t matter I would probably take Hosmer over Santana. If I have to eat those contracts or even just the ’22 salary I would rather have Santana. Hosmer is better than Santana in my opinion but not enough to make his salary worth it. Hosmer in a vacuum but I would still rather have Santana’s entire contract over just Hosmer’s ’22 salary. I would definitely rather have Santana over Hosmer’s entire contract. I never really understood those deals by Kansas City. They were terrible and they said they were going to spend some money to try and get better. So they decide to spend $36 million for 2 years of Santana and Mike Minor? Santana hit in the .100’s the season before that contract and Minor had an ERA over 5.50 the same season. How is giving players like that $36 million going to help improve a terrible club? It’s like they thought spending money was going to give them a better chance to win even if they spent that money on terrible players. Neither of those 2 guys would have gotten close to that from any other team. They probably would have both had to take one year deals and settle for a lower AAV. Why pay them a higher AAV on a multi-year deal?
thickiedon
The Santana/Hosmer swap could involve Merrifield and a wad of prospects from SD
Ha-Seong Kim
Merrifield is no spring chicken.
thickiedon
I’m not implying Merrifield is young but he is highly sought after and could be an extremely valuable piece for a contender.
Again,
Hosmer + prospects : Santana & Merrifield
Brew’88
Or 20 catchers and minus 20 starters! Just say anything
CNichols
The only way you can get back MLB “help” for him is if you take back another bad contract.
So like maybe you could plug an OF hole with like Jason Heyward, but that’s not really an upgrade, you’re just getting back a different underwater contract.
Ha-Seong Kim
Send Hosmer, Kim, Campusano, and Lawson to the twins for Donaldson and/or Kepler. Both teams benefit.
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
Ha-Seong Kim must really hate San Diego. He just recommended the Padres trade himself. To a terrible team nonetheless so you know he must really want out.
VegasSDfan
Lol
Ha-Seong Kim
Have you been to Minnesota?
CrikesAlready
Kim’s defense looked like it could be elite (I only seen in highlight videos on YouTube). They screwed him badly, AJ Preller brought in useless additions at the deadline and stuck Kim on the bench. I hope he really asked for a trade, he’ll be a fan favorite wherever he goes.
Deleted Userr
Only one the Padres are trading there that has any trade value is Campusano.
Brew’88
Over many years overseas his defense was average. Let’s see how he does with more mlb playing time.
We are who we thought they were
Send Ha Seong Kim to the twins for Drew Strotman and Cole Sands
Send Hosmer and Campusano to the Red Sox for a deal including Jackie Bradley Jr
Yankee Clipper
Were the Padres actually going to give Campusano just for taking on Hosmer’s contract? The contract is bad, no doubt, but I could see that being worth it for teams that can absorb a larger contract & need a catcher. We’re they expecting more in return?
Javia135
Cue all the fans of other teams offering to take Myers for Campusano or even Abrams instead of taking Hosmer.
Vizionaire
angels need catching even after drafting so many during scoscia years.
IjustloveBaseball
I hadn’t realized the Angels’ best — arguably — catcher of the last decade or so was Iannetta.
Stassi’s been solid pound for pound, but needs to show he can stay on the field.
Ha-Seong Kim
Send me, Hosmer, Campusano and Lawson to the twins for Donaldson.
Ha-Seong Kim
Then sign Rosario or Pederson.
Aaron Sapoznik
LOL! The Padres finally move overpriced 1B Eric Hosmer so they can have a trio of even more expensive 3B including yourself.
Ha-Seong Kim
But JD can play first. Or, the twins could send Kepler instead.
And I’d be going with Hosmer to fill the twins shortstop vacancy.
Aaron Sapoznik
Yes. Hosmer would definitely make for an intriguing SS candidate in Minnesota, especially as a southpaw. How stupid of me!
Javia135
The commenter said “I’d be going with Hosmer to fill the Twins SS vacancy.” What was that commenters name? HA-SEONG KIM.
Ha-Seong Kim
Aaron either can’t read or thinks I’m speaking Korean.
Aaron Sapoznik
You are definitely struggling with your English.
Ha-Seong Kim
You slow?
ohyeadam
As a Twins fan, no thank you
Ha-Seong Kim
Twins won’t compete in the next two years with JD. Garver will be gone after next season.
Any progression at the plate and Kim is a very good SS on an affordable deal. Campusano gives the twins a C to platoon when facing LHP with Garver against RHP. Sano and Astudillo can platoon at third.
Twins want to get their young bats more playing time. This move allows that.
jbigz12
JD is a 3 year deal unless he’s really regresses. It’s either 2/50 w the buyout or 3/58 if you keep him.
Yep it is
Manfred and the MLBPA will screw this up there won’t be time to make deals and adjust. It will be a wild scramble just to get your team assembled and on the field.
Brew’88
Manfred has no control over owners or players.
HEHEHATE
If you aren’t gonna play Campusano just trade him already.
Deleted Userr
Yes. A 23 year-old must immediately produce at the Major League level RIGHT NOW or be traded. Thanks for reminding us.
Hello, Newman
I wouldn’t be surprised if I read (after the lockout), Snell-Mejia re-trade & Padres pick up the tab.
They march to the beat of their drum.
Aaron Sapoznik
The White Sox need a solid backup catcher and their future replacement for Yasmani Grandal when his contract expires following the 2023 season. They might also be in the market for a short term RF in 2022.
What might be a reasonable return for the Padres if the White Sox asked for Luis Campusano while also taking on the $22.5MM still owed Wil Myers for 2022 along with his $1MM 2023 team buyout. The Padres should also have interest in Craig Kimbrel as their closer for 2022 considering their current options.
Javia135
6 years of control of Campusano is worth far more than taking on 1 year of Wil Myers. Especially since the Padres are already short on OF. No. If a team wants Campusano it will be for taking Hosmer. The Padres aren’t giving catchers away.
Aaron Sapoznik
Where did I suggest the Padres should give Campusano away, be it to the White Sox or any other team? This article was specifically written to address the Padres depth at the catching position and how they might handle that in 2022 including trade scenarios.
I also asked what a reasonable return might look like in a Luis Campusano trade with the White Sox that includes Wil Myers along with suggesting that a more than available future HOF closer in Craig Kimbrel would be a big upgrade to the San Diego bullpen in 2022. A straight swap of Myers for Kimbrel makes some sense in terms of each players control and would also provide the Padres with some payroll relief. The White Sox also have some young OF depth that might appeal to the Padres in an expanded deal involving Campusano.
Ha-Seong Kim
If your white Sox want Myers and Campusano the price is Moncada.
jbigz12
Gavin Sheets or Andrew Vaughn aren’t really right fielders. Or even outfielders.
You’d think the Padres want a legitimate right fielder. I wouldn’t trade Campusano for either one of those guys.
Ha-Seong Kim
Padres need to sign Pederson or Rosario
Deleted Userr
Myers for Kimbrel straight up makes no sense for Chicago. Myers’ contract is underwater by more than $1m.
Aaron Sapoznik
@Ha-Seong Kim
You are really insisting on the Padres adding more third baseman in your comments, maybe even enough to exceed their depth at catcher. LOL
Aaron Sapoznik
@jbigz12
I’m guessing you would be in the minority in regards to Andrew Vaughn regardless of what position he might play. I’d venture the Padres would take Vaughn for Campusano in a heartbeat. The White Sox, not so much.
If the White Sox were to actually consider trading Vaughn it would more likely be to address their biggest hole at 2B where he might be the centerpiece of a package to the Diamondbacks in a deal for Ketel Marte.
jbigz12
I think Campusano is an actual catcher who can hit the baseball. The Padres will likely mismanage him but I’m pretty high on that talent.
Vaughn could be a good player. He’ll provide all his value with the bat though. That’s a fair 1-1 swap. I just don’t think Vaughn fits very well in RF. I’m not in the minority on that.
Javia135
Your trade is broken from the start. It’s about what both teams need, not just lining up values on BTV. The Sox need an OF and you hear the Padres want to get rid of Myer’s money. The problem is that both teams are trying to compete next year so the Padres don’t need any OF prospects who aren’t ready for mlb right now. The Padres are already short a COF. If they trade you Myers that means they need 2. Making a hole on the roster that has to be filled with a free agent does not save the Padres any money.
Deleted Userr
The Padres will likely mismanage him but I’m pretty high on that talent.
==========================================================
And that, my friends, is the operative problem,
Deleted Userr
@Javia135 They could get someone better than Myers in FA for < $22.5m AAV.
shanen
This screams at the Cubs. If you can’t come to an agreement with Willy, you send him to Padres for Hosmer and an elite prospect, along with 1 or 2 small MiLB players.
Aaron Sapoznik
I can see that from the Cubs perspective more than the Padres unless that elite “prospect” was Luis Campusano. If not, the Padres would just be adding even more depth to their catching surplus with “Willy” who would clearly become their #1.
Aaron Johnson
Orioles need a catcher but none of this caliber unless it’s Alfaro
48-team MLB
The Padres will not win a World Series but they will lose two more in the next 15 years. They will lose one to the White Sox and one to the Red Sox.
thecoffinnail
The Yankees should be all over Campusano. Sanchez is going into his contract year and will finally play hard. He will have an MVP caliber season and I doubt the Yankees pony up what he will want. Maybe they can squeeze another lottery ticket prospect if they take Hosmer and send Voit plus a decent bullpen arm. The Yanks need a solid MLB ready catching prospect since Cashman left Torrens unprotected. Voit will fit right in with the Padres and can provide the bat they (and only they) thought they would get with Hosmer.
wtylerw
I can see 3 of these guys on the roster with Campusano back in aaa. Hosmer must sit vs lefties, between those PAs, the DH, and his injuries last year – Nola could get abs if he stays healthy. Odds of Campusano making the club out of st are about 0%. Bigger question for the padres, are they willing to put Abrams or Hassell in a corner OF spot.
mlbnyyfan
Cashman needs to fly out to San Diego and get something done as soon as the talks are done and we are getting back to baseball
Deleted Userr
You really think they bench Hosmer?
wtylerw
hosmers numbers vs LHP are disgusting, i dont see how these managers kept rolling him out there and didnt get fired… err wait
I just dont see a surplus here at C, Nola can hit but hes never come close to a full season of PAs, even for a catcher.
JoeBrady
wtylerw
hosmers numbers vs LHP are disgusting,
============================
It’s a team failure. It feels almost impossible that you wouldn’t have a better replacement against righties. What’s his OPS v lefties over the past 4 years? Is it even .650?
JoeBrady
“Position To Deal From Catching Depth”
========================
Well, not really. Technically, they have catchers on the roster. But realistically, none of them are worth anything.
Alfaro was basically let go. Any deal that is for money or a PTBNL, means they are worthless.
Caratini has a 1.0 career bWAR in 1,033 PAs.
Nola has some talent, but can’t stay on the field. I don’t see a situation where they are trading a catcher for anything decent. It should being Campusano & Nola splitting duties, cutting Alfaro, and maybe getting a 3rd tier lottery ticket for Caratini.
jbigz12
Nola has value in a trade. Catching depth is very thin around the league. We’re talking about Kurt Suzuki & Robinson Chirinos being the best C available in FA right now. Probably more valuable to the Pads than what he’d bring back though. It’d have to be one of those deals w/ a PTBNL from different tiers based on his health.
Caratini could hit a little bit w the Cubs—they’d probably get a flier for him. Obviously Alfaro doesn’t have value.
Deleted Userr
They only acquired Caratini cuz he’s Darvish’s PC
AlienBob
I don’t care how much money A.J. Preller kicks in. The Mariners are not taking Hosmer, Fernando Tatis, Jr, Campusano and Snell off his hands. There is simply no more room in the M’s farm system for these former Padres. Tatis would make a nice bench piece, however.
Javia135
Tatis had the 4th highest OPS in mlb in 2021 at .975. Mariners best? Ty France, .813. Bench piece? You aren’t making yourself look very intelligent here AlienBob.
AlienBob
You have no sense of humor.
jbigz12
People are very easy to troll these days.
Javia135
When a person suggests that the Mariners should receive CJ Abrams for taking Wil Myers for 1 year and actually tries to defend that position as reasonable, as AlienBob has done…it makes it kinda hard to tell where stupidity ends and trolling begins.
When you repeatedly make idiotic statements and trade ideas people will naturally assume that you are just stupid.