Austin Hedges is reportedly being shopped by the San Diego Padres, but that is just part of their plan to upgrade the catching position for 2020.
Kevin Acee of the SD-UT said on his appearance on the Darren Smith Show on Friday that the San Diego Padres are “actively trying to trade” Austin Hedges. In fact, they have not tried to trade him this hard since he reached the majors despite being in trade discussions before, according to Acee.
Hedges is going to make around $3 million in arbitration and that is too much money for a backup catcher who hits .167, which was his batting average last season.
They need “to find a starting catcher because I don’t think that they believe it is Francisco Mejia either.” Acee reported. Their plan from…late last season is 2020, we will have a new starting catcher. That would be Plan A.”
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The Padres have a unique situation because they have a catcher who has a good bat and has a great arm but not great fielding skills while the other can’t really hit but is the best defensive catcher in the league.
But A.J. Preller’s goal is obviously to get a catcher that has both the hit tool and field tool. Someone that commands a pitching staff but also holds his own at the plate.
And one of those obvious options is the Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras. The Chicago Cubs have reportedly been “aggressive” and “obvious” in their attempt to make a trade, and Contreras is one of those likely candidates to be traded.
Therefore, the Padres and the Cubs seem to be logical trade partners and by the tone of Kevin Acee’s voice, it feels like the San Diego Padres are really trying to get something done at the catching position.
The whole catching situation is definitely a situation to keep watch for when the Winter Meetings hit San Diego next week.