Washington Nationals Acquire Derek Norris From Padres
By Nick Fustor
The Washington Nationals have acquired catcher Derek Norris in a trade with the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-hander Pedro Avila.
After Wilson Ramos hit free agency, the Washington Nationals began to seek out other options to replace the star catcher behind the dish. With the acquisition of Derek Norris, the Nats seem to have their answer going forward.
Originally drafted by Washington in 2007 and seen as a highly regarded prospect in their system, Norris was traded to the Oakland Athletics in the trade that sent Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals. After a few solid seasons in Oakland that included an All-Star appearance in 2014, Norris was traded to the San Diego Padres and had a solid follow-up season
In 2014, Norris hit .270 with a .763 OPS and 10 home runs. The following season, Norris slashed .250/.305/.404 with 14 home runs in 147 games.
But a dismal season this year signaled the end of Norris’ time in San Diego, who will now likely allow Austin Hedges to become the team’s everyday catcher. This past season, Norris hit just .186 with a 30 percent strikeout rate – but did manage to hit 14 home runs in the pitcher friendly Petco Park.
Coming off a down season, Norris likely won’t be the everyday starter right away with Washington. Instead, he’ll share time behind the plate with Jose Lobaton or Pedro Severino. Norris will likely see most of his action against lefties, while the switch-hitting Lobaton will play against righties.
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Norris hit just .203 against lefties last season with a .178 mark against righties, but his numbers in 2015 were much more in line with his career averages. That season, Norris hit .295 against left-handed pitchers, while putting up a .237 clip against right-handers. Interestingly enough, 11 of his 14 home runs in 2015 came against righties.
With a weak crop of catchers available outside of Ramos, the Nationals needed to take a gamble on a player like Norris. If he returns to form, he can give the team a solid power threat in the bottom half of the lineup.
In exchange, Pedro Avila gives the Padres a young right-hander with plenty of potential. At just 19-years-old, Avila posted a 3.48 ERA with 8.90 strikeouts per nine innings in 20 starts this past season. Without Norris, San Diego now has a real chance to see what they have in Hedges, who has seen limited action since his debut in 2015. Hedges dominated at Triple-A this season, however, slashing .326/.353/.597 with 21 homers in 82 games.
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Overall, Washington was able to retain their core of top prospects in what seems to be preparation for a deal involving Andrew McCutchen, while the Padres freed up space for Hedges, who could be the next breakout star behind the plate.