Don't Count Padres Out From Trading for Catcher

The San Diego Padres may have no other choice but to trade for a catcher in the coming weeks — and knowing president of baseball operations A.J. Preller's reputation, it would be a mistake to count the team out from doing so.

The Padres catcher depth looks bleak early this season. While Freddy Fermin is the team's primary catcher for the 2026 season, his backup has brought a lot of question marks.

Luis Campusano is at a crossroads in his career. The Padres are giving him another chance at maintaining a major league roster spot in 2026. He was given the backup spot to Fermin this spring, but his performance will have to live up to expectations.

So far, it has not.

In five at-bats, the backup catcher has gone hitless this season. While it's a small sample size, Campusano didn't record a hit in 21 big league at-bats last season.

Manager Craig Stammen believes Campusano's defense outweighs anything else, but that also isn't the strongest.

“What we’re most concerned about with Campy is what he’s doing behind the plate and he’s done really well behind the plate,” Stammen said this spring. “ … There’s always competition for everything. Every time you take an at-bat, every time you step behind the dish, anytime you’re on base, you’re competing. With Campy, we’re very satisfied with who he is and what he’s done this spring with our pitching staff and he’s got a pretty strong hold on that second spot.”

Campusano's early struggles have given the Padres reason to find a third backup that could potentially replace the 27-year-old on the active roster, if necessary. But Preller is in a tough spot given last summer's trade deadline saw the team gut much of its farm system for acquisitions like Mason Miller, Ramon Laureano and Fermin, among others.

Who Could the Padres Add as Catching Depth?

Catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment by the New York Mets just before Opening Day and is currently in Triple-A after clearing waivers. He would be the perfect addition for the Padres, who desperately need a third catcher.

The Padres' depleted farm system doesn't give the team many resources to add a proven catcher via trade, and so the front office will have to get creative in find other ways to do just that.

Rortvedt would be a great option, and he likely wouldn't cost more than cash.

Rortvedt hit .224 with the Los Angeles Dodgers across 49 major league at-bats throughout the regular season. He became an unsung hero for the World Series champions when he became the team's starting catcher during the postseason after Will Smith and Dalton Rushing both suffered injuries.

He appeared in four postseason games, hitting .429 with a 1.071 OPS. The Dodgers also praised Rortvedt for his defense and ability to call games for the pitching staff.

The Padres could use Rortvedt as Campusano continues to struggle.