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 4 hours 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.

[Matthew Trueblood]

26 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

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

Certainly not. Although we should decouple the two. Kremer (or Ober) would be a perfectly fine price to pay for Campusano or Fermin, because both of those guys come with multiple years of team control, and neither would be a true backup for the Twins. At the very least, each would become a 50/50 tandem guy with Caratini. 

The bigger problem, imo, is that I don't know that Kremer or Ober gets you either of them, without you also throwing in a prospect. Preller doesn't like to trade for rentals, ever.

[tony&rodney]

5 minutes ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

Certainly not. Although we should decouple the two. Kremer (or Ober) would be a perfectly fine price to pay for Campusano or Fermin, because both of those guys come with multiple years of team control, and neither would be a true backup for the Twins. At the very least, each would become a 50/50 tandem guy with Caratini. 

The bigger problem, imo, is that I don't know that Kremer or Ober gets you either of them, without you also throwing in a prospect. Preller doesn't like to trade for rentals, ever.

I thought the same thing. While Kremer should be enough I am willing to add Kyle DeBarge and Ryan Gallagher to get an inexpensive catcher that works. 

I also think adding a real talent like Alan Roden to Bailey Ober and maybe Trevor Larnach as well could bring back Jordan Lawlar who is stuck as a fourth outfielder. Of course, he would fill that role for the Twins as well.

[Althebum82]

After five respectable MiLB seasons in the Twins system (and one bad one), why is Noah Cardenas not even so much as an afterthought when discussing future plans for the catching duties on this team? 

Is he now just too old at 27?

Is his defense considered problematic?

I have only seen him play on highlight clips, so perhaps my superficial opinion of him is skewed, but I sure would like to know what the real story is. 

[Whammy]

Kremer is interesting.

In my trades for Campusano or Fermin (in the blueprint tool) I've always done Joe Ryan for one of the catchers + a decent prospect, because I agree that Ryan clearly has more value than either of those guys alone. But Kremer for either of them feels about right, maybe we'd have to toss in a 15-20 ranked prospect.

But what about this idea that just popped into my head....

Joe Ryan and Victor Caratini for BOTH Fermin and Campusano

I actually think that works out pretty damn well for both teams.

[DJL44]

13 minutes ago, Althebum82 said:

After five respectable MiLB seasons in the Twins system (and one bad one), why is Noah Cardenas not even so much as an afterthought when discussing future plans for the catching duties on this team? 

Is he now just too old at 27?

Is his defense considered problematic?

I have only seen him play on highlight clips, so perhaps my superficial opinion of him is skewed, but I sure would like to know what the real story is. 

In three seasons above A-ball he’s hit around .200. Expect an MLB OPS around 550 with just average defense.

[tony&rodney]

12 minutes ago, Whammy said:

Kremer is interesting.

In my trades for Campusano or Fermin (in the blueprint tool) I've always done Joe Ryan for one of the catchers + a decent prospect, because I agree that Ryan clearly has more value than either of those guys alone. But Kremer for either of them feels about right, maybe we'd have to toss in a 15-20 ranked prospect.

But what about this idea that just popped into my head....

Joe Ryan and Victor Caratini for BOTH Fermin and Campusano

I actually think that works out pretty damn well for both teams.

Just me but I think Joe Ryan has a high value. Not enough to pry loose a top prospect but still substantial. As the roster exists, Ryan holds down the rotation with Bradley. I expect good seasons from Lopez, Prielipp, and Abel.

[Cris E]

36 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I also think adding a real talent like Alan Roden to Bailey Ober and maybe Trevor Larnach as well could bring back Jordan Lawlar who is stuck as a fourth outfielder. Of course, he would fill that role for the Twins as well.

We have a hundred OF right now. Adding another who won't start just sets him next to Martin as a short platoon half. Also, he hit really well in AZ and really badly on the road, away from the home cooking (1.055 vs .446 OPS) Be certain that's what you want. 

[Whammy]

13 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Just me but I think Joe Ryan has a high value. Not enough to pry loose a top prospect but still substantial. As the roster exists, Ryan holds down the rotation with Bradley. I expect good seasons from Lopez, Prielipp, and Abel.

I agree that Joe Ryan has higher value than some people are giving credit for, but I also think both Fermin and Campusano, both relatively cheap and with 2 years of team control remaining have higher value than some people are giving credit for. 

Caratini, I think most of us agree, has negative value, but as a backup to Salas in SD, playing 60 games, he'd be serviceable.

 

EDIT: My bad, Fermin actually has THREE years of team control remaining. I'm willing to throw in a prospect now, or eat a bunch of the Caratini money

[Cris E]

If we lose Jeffers (which feels likely) then a trade for a good enough bat to slide over to 1B in two years might be fine. SD and the As need pitching, but COL could be excited to take one or two of our OF. Pair up the challenging but highly esteemed ERod with one of the positionless Medez or Gonzalaz and see where it gets you. 

[Whammy]

.... WHOOPS

(deleted an accidental comment)

[Whammy]

But seriously.... let's play out what a perfect situation having Fermin and Campusano would be.

Fermin is really good defensively and you have him for 3 more years.
Campusano is fine defensively, was really good offensively in 2026, hits right handed, and has two more years of team control.

Projected arb numbers are 2.6M & 1.7M respectively. If we eat even up to $6M of Caratini money we're still paying less for our catching situation in 2027 than Caratini + minimum salary backup. 

In 2027 Fermin and Campusano do a pretty even time share with Fermin coming in as a late defensive replacement sometimes and Campusano getting some time at DH when we're facing a lefty.

If by the end of 2027 if it looks like Lackey will be ready for 2028, then you trade Campusano (or non-tender him if he doesn't have value). And then you've got Fermin and Lackey as your catching duo in 2028 and 2029.

If Lackey takes a little longer to develop (as catchers sometimes do), then you can still run the duo of Fermin and Campusano back out there in 2028.

Sign me up for that right now. That's perfect. 

[terrydactyls]

32 minutes ago, Whammy said:

But seriously.... let's play out what a perfect situation having Fermin and Campusano would be.

Fermin is really good defensively and you have him for 3 more years.
Campusano is fine defensively, was really good offensively in 2026, hits right handed, and has two more years of team control.

Projected arb numbers are 2.6M & 1.7M respectively. If we eat even up to $6M of Caratini money we're still paying less for our catching situation in 2027 than Caratini + minimum salary backup. 

In 2027 Fermin and Campusano do a pretty even time share with Fermin coming in as a late defensive replacement sometimes and Campusano getting some time at DH when we're facing a lefty.

If by the end of 2027 if it looks like Lackey will be ready for 2028, then you trade Campusano (or non-tender him if he doesn't have value). And then you've got Fermin and Lackey as your catching duo in 2028 and 2029.

If Lackey takes a little longer to develop (as catchers sometimes do), then you can still run the duo of Fermin and Campusano back out there in 2028.

Sign me up for that right now. That's perfect. 

Did you not read above that Proeller is thinking of holding all three catchers?  No way he is trading two.

[Whammy]

1 minute ago, terrydactyls said:

Did you not read above that Proeller is thinking of holding all three catchers?  No way he is trading two.

LOL. Never believe the words coming out of a GM's mouth in the offseason. Every single thing they say right now needs to be taken with a massive grain of salt. 

I'm not saying he'll trade two, but him saying he won't trade one of them seems like pure posturing to me. 

Also, everyone's got a price. Maybe he has no intention of trading either of them. But then you make him an offer that he really likes, and his tone can change real quick

[MackMan]

The biggest issue I see is that San Diego doesn't have any top 100 prospects outside of Salas who they're not going to trade for anyone the Twins have. So I think we sweeten the Joe Ryan pot. Add Marco Raya and Caratini in there. We give them their backup, we get our start and backup (or split if you want) and we take Garret Hawkins of their hands as he's an older (26) player/prospect anyways.