The San Diego Padres are in urgent need of an upgrade at catcher, and the St. Louis Cardinals may have the right player for them. This offseason, the Padres are focused on re-signing catcher Kyle Higashioka. However, their current starter, Luis Campusano, who started frequently last season, experienced a significant decline in performance in 2024.
Campusano’s impressive .319/.356/.491 batting line from 2023 fell to a disappointing .227/.281/.361 in 2024, resulting in a -0.7 WAR. Despite playing nearly double the games, he only managed 10 more runs and RBIs compared to the previous year.
In a recent mock trade scenario, MLB.com’s Will Leitch suggested that the Padres pursue Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras to strengthen their lineup. Leitch highlighted that if Contreras were made available, he would provide one of the best improvements in the league, noting his offensive capabilities and defensive skills. He emphasized Contreras’s experience as a World Series champion and intense competitive nature, stating, “His bat plays anywhere.” Leitch also mentioned that San Diego could be an ideal fit, along with Houston, a team he nearly joined instead of the Cardinals.
Although Contreras played only 84 games in 2024, he posted a solid .262/.380/.468 line with an .848 OPS. The 2016 World Series champion typically averages around 56 runs and 62 RBIs when playing at least 100 games, and he can hit over 20 home runs in a season.
Defensively, Contreras has recorded a fielding percentage of over .990 in four of the last five seasons. He would be a strong replacement for Campusano, who is reliable behind the plate but has room for offensive improvement, and a more solid option defensively compared to Higashioka.
Contreras is set to earn $ 18 million in 2025 and is under contract with St. Louis until 2028. Although he would be a costly acquisition for the Padres, the three-time All-Star could be the talent they need to maximize their chances as World Series contenders, making him worth the investment.
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