If Twins Miss Out on Free-Agent Catchers, They Should Look to Padres for an Answer

[Ray Stuedemann]

In one scary scenario, the Twins might not add a significant free-agent catcher this winter. Ryan Jeffers could walk away from Minnesota for a long-term deal, while Tyler Stephenson and Carson Kelly could get better offers elsewhere. These three are the top free-agent options at the position on DiamondCentric’s free agent rankings. So, if the Twins don’t sign any of these names, where do they pivot?

Minnesota could try to land bigger offensive threats such as Hunter Goodman and Shea Langeliers, names that have floated around in trade rumors for quite some time now, but it's unlikely the Twins would be willing to go after these high-tier options after just letting Jeffers go. They have a vacancy at the position, even with Victor Caratini under contract, and need at least one other body for the 2027 season (and maybe longer).

Thankfully, one team seems to have a catching logjam, given that one of their top prospects was recently called up to start at the position. That team is the San Diego Padres, and their veteran catchers, Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano, would both be solid additions if the Twins strike out everywhere else this offseason.

Freddy Fermin: A Defensive Upgrade

Fermin was acquired at the 2025 deadline from the Royals. Through his season and a half with the Padres, the 31-year-old has slashed .217/.276/.323 with six home runs in 404 plate appearances. That's not great offensive output, but that wouldn't be why Minnesota would acquire him. Fermin graded out very well defensively in 2026, posting a Fielding Run Value of 9, according to Statcast. That was good for eighth among catchers, and significantly better than Caratini, who ranked 19th. He's very well-rounded defensively, ranking in the 86^th percentile or above in blocks above average, caught stealing above average, and pop time, while grading out as a well-above-average framer, as well. He would give the Twins a reliable veteran presence behind the dish, and while the bat is not good, the rest of the lineup should have enough firepower to make up for Fermin’s lack of offensive output.

Luis Campusano: An Offensive Upgrade

While neither of the Padres’ potential trade chips is as good offensively as Jeffers, Campusano held his own last year, putting up a respectable .265/.363/.433 line with 8 homers in 248 plate appearances. The former top prospect has struggled to find consistency throughout his seven-year major-league career, but with Salas called up and (ostensibly) ready to go as the future of the catching position in San Diego, it may be time for Campusano to get a change of scenery. His 122 OPS+ was significantly better than Caratini’s 77, and it's also better than Kelly (97) and Stephenson (101) were this year. Campusano is not as good defensively as Fermin, earning -3 FRV last season, a bit worse than Jeffers. Still, Campusano could be one of the better offensive options for the Twins to get, and if they can’t get a more established major-league player, he certainly would have more upside than Caratini, at least in the batter’s box.

How Willing Will San Diego Be to Deal?

Though it's natural to look at the three catchers who finished the year in the majors and assume the Padres will move one of them, top executive A.J. Preller downplayed that likelihood a bit on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

"You think you have some catching, then there's an injury, which can happen at that spot, and all of a sudden, now you're searching for catching," Preller said, when asked how hard it would be to move any of his three backstops. "We've built up that spot. We have three players that we feel like you can win in the playoffs with at that position. So we don't take that lightly."

Preller pushed back on the notion that Salas has established himself, suggesting he'll need to come to spring training ready to compete for a spot and pointing to some shorcomings the rookie showed as a receiver and handler of the pitching staff. However, he also admitted that the Padres have already heard from several teams interested in trading for one of the trio, so San Diego is keeping an open mind. Suffice it to say this: neither Fermin nor Campusano will be an easy, low-cost pickup. A trade for either will cost something, even if it be relatively modest.

Hopefully, This is a Short-Term Problem

Neither of these names would need to be the long-term answer behind the dish for the Twins. Minnesota has prospects on the rise, led by Vahn Lackey and Eduardo Tait, and Lackey could be here as early as the end of the 2027 season. Fermin and Campusano would be stopgaps, with a chance to remain in the organization past 2027 if they perform adequately, or at least above the level of Caratini. Ultimately, the goal would be to stabilize the position for the next season or two without significantly increasing the payroll or sacrificing high-level prospects. If the Twins find themselves watching their top catching options sign elsewhere and cannot land a bigger name on the trade market, San Diego could provide a practical alternative to bridge the gap until their own young talent is ready to take over.

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Twins Daily's Matthew Trueblood contributed reporting.

Image courtesy of Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

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[DJL44]

I would trade Tait for a catcher who can help for the next two seasons. What would it take to obtain Langeliers?

[Ray Stuedemann]

7 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I would trade Tait for a catcher who can help for the next two seasons. What would it take to obtain Langeliers?

I would love Langeliers, you'd imagine one of the catching prospects, probably Tait, would have to be in the package back. Tait, Mendez, and lower ranked pitching prospect? Seems like a good starting point at least. I just don't see that being extremely likely.

Edited 1 hour ago by Ray Stuedemann

[Matthew Trueblood]

6 minutes ago, Ray Stuedemann said:

I would love Langeliers, you'd imagine one of the catching prospects, probably Tait, would have to be in the package back. Tait, Mendez, and lower ranked pitching prospect? Seems like a good starting point at least. I just don't see that being extremely likely.

It'd cost significantly more than that, too, FWIW. Think Marek Houston instead of Tait, and you're getting warmer. The pitching prospect would have to be stronger than I think you're thinking. (This is why I agree it's unlikely.)

[thelanges5]

Larnach + MiLB guy for Fermin

[Ray Stuedemann]

20 minutes ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

It'd cost significantly more than that, too, FWIW. Think Marek Houston instead of Tait, and you're getting warmer. The pitching prospect would have to be stronger than I think you're thinking. (This is why I agree it's unlikely.)

Makes sense. Can't imagine they were to move Houston. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Fermin is the type of C I'd want until some of our prospects develop further. Defense. And his bat hasn't been entirely  a black hole.

[MackMan]

I think we could package Joe Ryan and a low level prospect for a one of their catchers and potentially another decent position player or prospect. Right now SD is hurting for pitching and they need something that is going to be beneficial for them. Trading for Ryan would be a good move on their part, even if he is only a rental piece. They wouldn't hemorrhage their system for that and both teams get a win. 

[farmerguychris]

I'd love to try and send some pitching to the  Rockies in exchange for Goodman.  Their pitching woes last season were well documented, while Goodman is only passable receiving the ball - I think he can hit as well as Jeffers and hopefully can be coached up behind the plate.  It feels to me he'll have enough years of arbitration eligibility left to be our top catcher until Lackey is ready to roll.  Then we can trade him just like we could have done with Jeffers.

[MeleMouth]

No offense-first catchers. Must have good defense, with good offense a bonus, not the feature.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Ray Stuedemann said:

I would love Langeliers, you'd imagine one of the catching prospects, probably Tait, would have to be in the package back. Tait, Mendez, and lower ranked pitching prospect? Seems like a good starting point at least. I just don't see that being extremely likely.

Agree that Langeliers is too much.

What would Fermin cost? Campusano? Is Kremer a good return?

[DJL44]

You don’t trade Joe Ryan or Dean Kremer for a backup catcher 

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

You don’t trade Joe Ryan or Dean Kremer for a backup catcher 

Don't think Ryan and Kremer are similar or close in value. Campusano would be a starting catcher most likely for the Twins or surely a shared position. In any event we shall see if the Twins actually make any trades.

[Cory Engelhardt]

8 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

You don’t trade Joe Ryan or Dean Kremer for a backup catcher 

I would for a catcher that plays 100 games in 2027 with plus defense along with a prospect they like. Frankly I'd trade Kremer just for the catcher. Ryan would bring more back.

[HerbieFan]

I don't know if either of these guys are t he best answer, but I think this is the smartest type of move to make.  Financially feasible, keeps the door open for the young catchers, not costing any top prospects.