The Padres officially announced that they’ve re-signed catcher Elias Díaz to a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2026 season. The ACES client is reportedly guaranteed $3.5MM — taking the form of a $1.5MM base salary for the upcoming season and a $2MM buyout on the $7MM option. San Diego had multiple openings on the 40-man roster and didn’t need to make a corresponding move.
Díaz, 34, finished the 2024 season with the Padres. After being released by the Rockies, he landed a minors pact with the Friars and was added to the roster just before the calendar flipped from August to September. He joined Kyle Higashioka and Luis Campusano on the roster, though Campusano would be optioned a little more than a week later. Díaz hit .190/.292/.429 in 24 plate appearances. For the postseason, the Friars carried Higashioka and Díaz on the roster over Campusano, though Higashioka took the bulk of the work as Díaz received only one plate appearance.
Both Díaz and Higashioka became free agents at the end of the season, leaving the Friars with a clear hole behind the plate. Higashioka signed with the Rangers. Campusano, who is still on the roster, seemed to have a breakout season in 2023 when he hit .319/.356/.491, but his line had a steep drop last year, finishing at .227/.281/.361. Since his defensive metrics were also poor, he was considered to be below replacement level on the year.
That made the position a clear target area for the Friars this offseason. However, the club has been remarkably quiet this winter. Once completed, this will be their first free agent signing. Their only trade so far was acquiring right-hander Ron Marinaccio after he was designated for assignment by the White Sox.
That’s surely related to the club’s uncertain payroll situation. The Padres spent aggressively while Peter Seidler was owning the club but it turned out to not be sustainable. In September of 2023, it was reported that the club was “out of compliance with MLB regulations regarding their debt service ratio.” Seidler died in November of that year. The 2023-24 offseason saw the Padres look to cut their payroll, which led to Juan Soto getting traded to the Yankees.
This winter, it once seemed that the club would have to dial back projected spending some more, which led to plenty of rumors involving players like Dylan Cease, Luis Arráez, Michael King, Robert Suarez and others. Reporting in recent days has suggested the situation isn’t quite so dire, with the Friars not necessarily having to cut spending. However, with holes in left field, at catcher, in the rotation and perhaps at shortstop, trading one of those players might still be necessary in order to free up money and then add elsewhere.
Regardless of the specifics, it’s clear that the budget crunch has made president of baseball operations A.J. Preller far less active than in other offseasons. It has also limited the club in addressing their catching situation. They signed Martín Maldonado to a minor league deal and have now made a modest investment with this deal.
Díaz generally gets better marks for his glovework than for his bat. For his career, he has hit .251/.304/.388 for a wRC+ of 78, indicating he’s been 22% below the league average hitter. Catchers generally come in about 10% below the league-wide mean, though Díaz will still come in below that lower bar. Between the Rockies and Padres last year, he hit .265/.313/.382 for a wRC+ of 81.
Behind the plate, outlets like FanGraphs, Baseball Prospectus and Statcast have generally ranked him as a poor framer but close to average in terms of blocking and strong when it comes to controlling the running game.
Díaz and Campusano now project as the club’s catching duo. Campusano still has an option and could be pushed to Triple-A, though the only other backstop on the 40-man roster is Brett Sullivan, who is about to turn 31 years old and has a .206/.243/.299 line in just 103 big league appearances.
Ideally, Campusano would regain his 2023 form and run with the job. He has less than three years of service time and therefore has the potential to be a cheap solution for his four remaining years of club control. But if he can’t rebound from his rough 2024, the Padres now at least have a competent veteran on-hand. Maldonado also gives them some seasoned non-roster depth and it’s also possible the club makes further moves to address the catching situation.
RosterResource now projects the Friars for a competitive balance tax number of $245MM. That’s just a bit above this year’s $241MM base threshold, though as mentioned, it’s possible that they change their financial situation via trades of players making notable salaries.
Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase first reported that Díaz had agreed to a one-year deal that guaranteed $3.5MM and included a mutual option. Álvarez-Montes also reported the specific salary breakdown and the option value.
So it’s gonna be Campy/Diaz behind the dish. Works for me. Hopefully Campy rediscovers his bat, and gets off one knee with runners on base.
Campy is too busy trying to be Tony Batista
Ha, good comp on the stance! I thought a poor man’s Rickey.
I think both Campusano qnd Diaz have major bounceback years
That seems to be the pattern with Padres backup catchers.
Remember when the Padres were signing big names like Xander? Fans on here would say how Dodger fans better be nervous.
Padres pennant secured
After all the media pressure they cave in and make a signing
They didn’t cave. This is what Preller does,work around the edges.
Repeat after me, “Diaz was the MVP of the 2023 All Star Game.” Keep repeating that and you will believe……
Keeping up with the Dodgers.
Desperation from both ends; we’ll take it
One problem solved.
Is there a team Siedler Brothers ?
They need to find themselves an internet connection.
Bet it’s been hard for Preller to sit w/hands tied this whole hot stove. There’s discounts to be had as Feb 1 approaches n still some good players out there in FA.
Doesn’t this seem light for Diaz? What am I missing?
Why would the Reds, for example, trade Fernando Cruz for Jose Trevino, when they could’ve just signed Diaz, for barely more $$?
Diaz is clearly the better hitter. Is his defense considered weak?
Yes he’s a relatively poor defender
17th on defense in 2024. baseballprospectus.com/leaderboards/fielding/
It’s not great. Keep in mind, his bat also took a little step back last year. Personally, I figured he’d be either a minor league contract guy, or a 1yr/1m deal..but the number of catching options available at this point is dwindling fast, and AJ needed to fill that spot.
Getting Vasquez from Minnesota, with the salary being paid down to $4MM doesn’t look like such a bad suggestion any more.
I’d prefer Diaz. It does look like the twins maybe stuck with Vasquez now though.
“Clearly the better hitter” is not as clear when you realize he did that damage in Coors. Over the past 3 seasons he has a negative WAR. Trevino is worth over 6 and has half the playing time.
Diaz has a 3.1 WAR over the last 3 seasons.
baseball-reference.com/players/d/diazel01.shtml#20…
Since you mentioned road numbers.
Diaz’s road numbers over the last 3 season while playing for the Rockies were .237/.269/.391/.660
Trevino’s road number over the last 3 seasons were .232/.281/.365/.646
Not clearly better, but a small amount better in BA, SLG, and OPS.
Compare Diaz’s 3.1 WAR from 2022-2024 to Higgy’s 0.3 WAR in the 3 years before he came here. This is another good signing of a catcher by Preller on the cheap.
Jose Trevino is a far better option at this point on both ends.
Campusano is a documented head case. He has communication difficulties and maybe some other issues that make him a suspect teammate.
They cannot rely on him. He’s about the age that these issues become more pronounced.
Yay AJ! Another dumpster fire personality that he’s depending on.
You should hang up your phone and retire. Let’s get that 5 year clock ticking on your MLBTR Hall of Shame candidacy! Terrible post, once again Crikes.
So you played with him before?
I guarantee Crikes has never played with Campy, let alone met him. He’s just talking out his okole puka again.
Gwynning
I think the Padres are a likely wildcard team and the only signing that I am critical of was Bogey.
But there were allegations of Campy with a large amount of drugs a long time back. That would make me less likely to want him to be a franchise cornerstone. Fortunately, he is not and never has been.
Until the Padres part with Cease or King, I think the Padres have a great post-season chance.
I respect your take, MLBT100.
I take umbrage with Crikes’ callousness.
“documented headcase”
“communication difficulties”
“suspect teammate”
“dumpster fire personality”
He is and/or has none of these traits.
Those charges got thrown out.
LFG
True, but the charges were thrown out based on lack of probable cause for search, not based on that he didn’t do it.
But I also recognize that he was 21 or 22 at the time, kids do stupid things and many mature. But he should have been smart enough not to have 79 grams while traveling in the South.
Not a big enough deal so I would have cut him. But a big enough deal that I would not commit the future to him given his otherwise decent but unspectacular performance. I would have kept Higgy.
They haven’t committed to the future he’s in his arb-1 year.
Padres actually won more games after they traded away Soto and plugged multiple holes.
It could happen again.
AJ Preller is chomping at the bit to make some creative deals.
I like Campusano.
He can sure hit when he gets it going!
Maybe these veteran catchers can work with Luis and help him ramp up his Defense?
Would like to see the Manager also give Campy time @ 1B and DH to help get his bat on track.
MLB Top 100, he was arrested with 79 grams of marijuana in October of 2020 in Georgia. Anything over an ounce was a felony there at that time. Charges were dropped in April of 2021 according to this article in the San Diego paper.
sandiegouniontribune.com/2021/04/02/prosecutors-dr…
If he was arrested with the same amount of Marijuana in California it would have been a maximum of a $500 fine.
Marijuana is not considered a drug of abuse by MLB. He did enter a drug diversion program after his arrest from what I read.
It was not the Padres choice to keep Higashioka. He was a free agent and got a larger offer to play elsewhere and chose to leave.
Dumpster fire? AJ hasnt really missed on catchers the last 4 years or so. Caratini, Sanchez, Alfaro, Higgy, etc. He’s got the most of what he signs then let’s them walk.
A proper shrewd move. Sure it’s in the bargain bin, but the upside is definitely possible, he’s got an arm and can find a bat. Between Dias, Campy, and Sullivan you can find 162 respectable starts at C.
Maybe Maldonado can give some defensive lessons to campy and Diaz .
Defensive lessons not needed. If he can teach him how to hit breaking balls and offspeed pitches that would be a huge bonus.
I’m good with this move. He also got some experience with the pitchers last year which should help coming into next season.
Stop gap until Salas is ready.
Same. Also, heard Eguy Rosario has been working in the OF more this winter. Wouldn’t mind he and Tirso battling it out for AB’s in LF. I still feel like either could be a diamond in the rough if given every day at bats.
Yeah perhaps they could platoon there. I think the padres will still add an outfielder. Platooning around the DH spot and field is also an option.
Rosario played exclusively 2B and 3B in Dominican League this winter. Hit .336/.395/.509/.904 with a 14.6 K rate. He has had an exceptional winter ball. I hope that carries over to the regular season in some measure.
If they were going to get a C on the relative cheap, I was hoping for Diaz. So I’m good with it too. They now actually have depth at C
Catcher handled. Payroll went UP. Wow! What happened?
I like this.
Whoever signed him. Good.
May this be the start.
“That’s surely related to the club’s uncertain payroll situation.”
It CERTAINLY could not possibly be related to the fact that the Padres are in a BETTER position than they were at this point last offseason. It couldn’t be because the Padres already have All Star caliber players at 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, CF, and RF plus 3 TOR starters and one of the best bullpens in baseball.
The Padres MUST spend on players to satisfy the rumor mill or they are broke and have an uncertain payroll situation. Never mind that the Chairman of the team and the CEO have both said that the team would end up with a payroll somewhere between 2023 ($291 million) and 2024 ($227 million) and that payroll at that level was sustainable. I mean they HAVE to be lying. It can’t be th3e media just making clickbait rumors up.
Even after one of the media that had claimed they were cutting payroll recanted and said that the Chairman and CEO were right, we STILL get other members of the media trying to say they have an “uncertain payroll situation.”
At some point it just gets entirely ridiculous.
Excellent take, surprised nobody has replied. Padres are still a pretty stacked team. I’d like another starter, but for what AJ has done the last couple of years with Wacha, Lugo, Martinez, King, I’m not worried. Offensively, I would like to see Tirso get a chance. Liked Profar, but no way he’s worth what was paid by Atlanta.
Saw post that said the Padres made 330-340M in Petco Park revenues last year?
Anyone know if that is an accurate #?
They sold 3.3 million tickets. Sports Business Journal has them at an average ticket price of $49.51 for 2024. That’s $163 million. They would have to have a huge amount coming in from other ballpark revenue drivers like suites, groups, sponsorships/advertising, and concessions. Not sure that is an accurate number, but it might be.
I had heard that their total revenue including local TV and radio, streaming, and national TV in 2023 was $414 million. Not sure how accurate that is either, but they were confirmed to be a revenue sharing payer that year.
With attendance over 3 million I am sure they are making in excess of $150 million from ticket sales but it’s hard to see a jump from there to $330 million.
Do the Padres get revenue from other events like concerts that are held at their park?
I read that the Raiders get a percentage of the take from all events at Allegiant Stadium and make as much revenue from that source as from their home football games.
Maybe if the Padres also share in revenue from other events held at Petco they could have park generated revenue that high.
I think they do share revenue with the city when events happen at petco.
AJ Preller finally got his man!
Preller is the king of bringing in a lost soul at a cheap price to be the backup catcher.
Caratini, Sanchez, Alfaro, Higgy, all had pretty good years here, then moved in. AJ will do it again……
Padres seem to coach up and unlock value in their catching acquisitions.
Would be great if Padres coaches and veteran catchers could
help Campusano “step it up” on Defense.
They just signed a catcher to the highest salary ever during the Preller era shattering the 2.925m spent on Derek Norris in 2016.
The Seidler bros have officially made their mark.
I feel like this will be Maldonado’s last training camp as a player. Could definitely see him coaching after this
Start with Luis Campusano’s defense that appears to have regressed from a few years ago.
all starting to come together. I wouldn’t mind if we rolled with exactly the roster we have, but theres still some interesting guys out there who should be available with minimal investment. i expect to see some connor joe / tye france / david peralta type signings to at least make the kids earn it in spring training
Padres went into spring training with a team with many of the same holes on the bench and rotation and even a few in the bullpen. By the time the season started Cease was in the rotation, Wandy Peralta was in the pen. We had seen the beginnings of the emergence of Merrill and Estrada in camp. In April and May Preller added D Peralta and solano to the bench on minor league deals. He traded for Arraez in April too,
Like you, I am satisfied with where the team is right now and trust in Preller to bring a playoff team to the table,
A J Preller is not done.
If he swings at least one deal and gets multiple young major league players and major league ready prospects back then that could free up some salary to make upgrade(s) in other areas also.
Got a feeling Dylan Cease and at least one other player may
be packing their suitcases before Spring Training is done,
The non moves of this whole offseason are finally worth it!
That seems like a good, low price addition for the Padres. Diaz was decent for the Rockies from 2021-2024. Not sure how he ended up on the Padres to end last season. They seem to sign someone like him every season who ends up having a career year. Higashioka last season. Gary Sanchez the year before. that. Alfaro. Caratini.
Should take a flyer on 1B/DH Spencer Torkelson!
Torkelson has little value in trade right now. I would think that unless he has an absolutely incredible spring training and shows that he has shortened up his swing that the Tigers will send him to AAA to start the season and hope that he can bust out. Even when he was sent down last season he didn’t impress. His bat is his only tool so if that is below average he is not a good fit anywhere.
I’d like that move for the Pads if the cost isn’t too high.
I hope they look at a couple cheap free agents too. Austin Hays would’ve been an acceptable platoon option in Left Field. Since he’s gone I’d take a chance on Verdugo.
Verdugo plays good defense and might be ok in a platoon against RHP. What are the Padres other options in LF?
any chance Xander has dirt on the Clintons ?
Let’s stick to baseball!
It is a greats source of entertainment!
Surprised he couldn’t get more….seems like he should be getting north of $6M
It’s been a terrible offseason, but I preferred a buy-low Diaz to a buy-high Higgy.
This is it Padres fans, our big off season signing.
#Punting2025
It’s not so bad a signing.
Padres are at $249.5 million CBT payroll. $8.5 million over the CBT threshold with 2 spots to fill in the 26-man roster and only 35 on the 40-man roster. Once camp opens Musgrove will go to the 60-day IL so not be on the 40-man roster either. Combined those will add a minimum of $2.12 million to the CBT payroll. More if any of the players added are making more than major league minimum.
In real terms the Padres are at $251.62 million CBT payroll, and possibly more. There is no practical way they can trade just one player and stay below the $241 million CBT threshold this season. As the season goes along injuries will require additions to the active roster and with that comes additional payroll that the Padres would not be paying with those players in the minors.
In saying they wanted to stay between the 2023 and 2024 payrolls, the Padres brass left a huge area for people to speculate. The midway point between the 2023 CBT payroll and the 20247 CBT payroll is $259.7 million. They are almost there.
The 2nd tier of CBT taxes begins at $261 million. I am betting that is the hard line that Preller is not allowed to pass.
They already have a 26 man roster and a team is not obligated to fill the entire 40 man roster. Also the CBT is not determined until seasons end so they can dive anytime in the next 6 months like the Angels did in 2023. It’s already been reported on multiple occasions the team will be lowering payroll from its present level. Nobody is reporting they are at 251 mill for CBT where are you getting your numbers? As the article states the deal is structured so only 1..5 counts this year and the 2 mill buyout counts vs ‘26.
Bozz, they do not have 26 players on the active roster. Diaz makes 24. They are not obligated to fill out the 26-man or 40-man roster, but no contending team is stupid enough not to do so. Players on the 40-man roster make more than players in the minors that are not on the 40-man.
The Padres have made not a single move to lower payroll. Their payroll is up $43.5 million so far and we are not to spring training yet. Last year they added $16 million between the start of February and the Seoul Series.
It doesn’t matter what anyone reports. It matters what actions are taken and the Padres have taken no actions that show they are lowering payroll. They are one of just 4 or 5 teams whose payroll is up. Even claiming they are lowering does not jibe with reality,
All guaranteed money, which is his $1.5 million salary in 2025 plus the $2 million buyout he is guaranteed, counts to the CBT AAV for this season unless they exercise the option. Then the 2025 AAV will increase from $3.5 million to $4.25 million. $1.5 million salary in 2025 + $7.0 million salary in 2026 for a total of $8.5 million divided by 2.
The Padres can trade of players later to lower payroll if they are not contending. Get back to me at the ASB.
I live like 30 miles north of the Florida line and I can say this Florida should have 1 or perhaps 0 teams because right now they have 2 and draw hardly any fans. And the Rays have been one of the better teams the last 10 years and can’t draw even in the playoffs and the Marlin’s have got a new state of the art stadium that was shown off during the world baseball classic and they are always bottom of the league in attendance. Maybe if they moved both teams and put a team in Orlando instead then ok but if no way in Hell it would be fiscally responsible to have a team in Orlando with Florida’s current market for baseball. IMO Charlotte and Salt Lake City will be getting those expansion spots.
Although I do think Portland, Nashville, New Orleans, San Antonio, Omaha, Oklahoma City, Montreal and Brooklyn have a shot.