The Padres Badly Need A Catcher; These Two Guys Can Help

[Alex Carl]

The Padres are a team built to win now. With a top-heavy roster of star power and a legitimate shot at October, San Diego is staring down one of the biggest weaknesses in its lineup at catcher. Offensively and defensively, the current duo of Elias Díaz and Martín Maldonado has dragged down the Padres’ production behind the plate, and the numbers aren’t pretty.

As of now, Padres catchers have combined for a .193 batting average (second-worst in MLB), a league-worst .253 on-base percentage, and a .310 slugging percentage (3rd worst). Their 61 wRC+ ranks 29th out of 30 teams, and their -1.1 WAR makes them the second-least valuable catching unit in the league. They’re walking just 6.9% of the time and striking out at a staggering 30.3% clip, which is also second-worst in the league. Additionally, Padres catchers have combined for a –10 Fielding Run Value (FRV) this season, one of the worst marks in baseball.

The Padres need help. The question is: how aggressive are they willing to be?

Two names have emerged as realistic targets ahead of the trade deadline: Kyle Higashioka and Sean Murphy. Each represents a very different approach. One is familiar and affordable. The other is a star-level upgrade, but it will come at a premium price.

Sean Murphy is the dream target, as he checks every box. Murphy boasts elite defense, above-average power, and team control through 2030. But prying him away from Atlanta won’t be easy, or cheap.

At 30 years old, Murphy is in his prime and producing like one of the top catchers in baseball. He’s already hit 16 home runs, fifth-most among all MLB catchers, while slashing .240/.331/.514. While the batting average might not jump off the page, it’s a massive upgrade compared to what the Padres currently get from their catchers.

Murphy’s .274 ISO (second-best among catchers) and 133 wRC+ (seventh-best) signal legitimate offensive impact. His 2.4 WAR ranks sixth among all catchers, and he does it while still excelling defensively. 

Behind the plate, Murphy is as steady as they come. He has thrown out 17 baserunners, fifth-most in the league. He’s posted a +5 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and an average pop time of 1.94 seconds, which ranks in the 61st percentile. Murphy sits at +4 FRV, showcasing his all-around defense with good pitch framing, strong arm, blocking, and game management.

Of course, none of that comes cheap. Murphy is making $15 million this year and is under contract through 2030, meaning the Braves don’t need to move him. But with 24-year-old catcher Drake Baldwin crushing it at the major league level, Atlanta may be open to retooling for the right price.

The cost would almost certainly require the Padres to dip into their high-end prospect pool. But with Petco Park favoring right-handed pull hitters, with Murphy pulling the ball 47.8% of the time, it’s easy for the Padres to dream of the fit.

Then there’s Kyle Higashioka, a more realistic and practical option.

Higashioka, 35, is in the final stretch of his career, but he’s no stranger to San Diego. He played for the Padres in 2024 and made a strong impression, especially down the stretch. Fans took to his steady presence and timely hits, and the veteran seemed to find comfort in Petco Park.

Now with the Rangers, Higashioka is struggling to find his groove offensively. Despite hitting .240, one of the highest marks of his career, the power that defined his past seasons has evaporated. His four home runs and .363 slugging percentage are both career lows, as is his .117 ISO. He walks at just a 5.7% clip and owns a below-average 85 wRC+.

Still, he’s making contact (only an 18.7% strikeout rate), and his familiarity with the Padres’ pitching staff and clubhouse would make the transition seamless.

Defensively, Higashioka remains solid, but not elite. His 1.0 framing runs (FRM) match Murphy’s, but he’s thrown out fewer runners and only has 1 DRS. His pop time of 2.04 seconds puts him in just the 2nd percentile, among the slowest in baseball. Higashioka owns a –3 FRV, indicating that while he’s serviceable, his defense has taken a step back this year. That said, he’s still a capable catcher or platoon option, and his 50.7% pull rate makes him a nice match for Petco Park.

Importantly, Higashioka is also far more affordable. He’s making just $5.75 million this season and is under team control through 2026. That contract, paired with his age and diminished production, means he wouldn’t cost more than a mid-tier prospect, an appealing option for a Padres team that has dealt from the farm heavily in recent years.

If the Padres want to truly address their catching woes, Sean Murphy is the ideal solution. He’s a long-term answer with elite two-way impact and fits the park and lineup construction perfectly. But adding Murphy would take a bold swing both financially and prospect-wise, which comes at a time when San Diego’s front office has been operating a bit more cautiously.

Kyle Higashioka, on the other hand, offers a more conservative play with a known clubhouse presence who won’t cost much and could at least stabilize the position down the stretch.

Either move would be an upgrade over the current state of things. Díaz and Maldonado have combined to provide bottom-tier production offensively and defensively. The Padres simply can’t afford that black hole as they fight for a playoff spot in a crowded National League.

The question is whether A.J. Preller and the front office are content with a slight upgrade or ready to go all in on a long-term solution. Because if they are, Sean Murphy might just be the missing piece.

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