The San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins have recently engaged in trade discussions centered around catcher Christian Vázquez, according to a report from Dan Hayes and Dennis Lin of The Athletic on Wednesday night.
While no deal is currently imminent, both teams appear motivated to work out an agreement involving Vázquez, a veteran catcher and two-time World Series champion.
The Padres are in need of a catcher following Kyle Higashioka’s departure to the Texas Rangers in free agency. At the moment, their catching options are limited to Luis Campusano and Brett Sullivan. Acquiring Vázquez would immediately bolster their roster, likely making him the starting catcher.
Additionally, The Athletic reports that the Twins are among the teams expressing interest in right-hander Dylan Cease. Cease has been at the center of trade speculation throughout the offseason, though the Padres are reportedly hesitant to part with him unless they receive a significant return. However, with Cease’s contract set to expire soon, teams may be reluctant to deplete their farm systems for him.
Vázquez, whose contract runs through 2025 with a $10 million value, is also a consideration in these talks. The Padres reportedly do not want to take on the full value of his contract, which has been a sticking point in negotiations.
Vázquez, 34, is coming off a 2024 season with the Twins in which he posted a .221/.248/.327 slash line, hit seven home runs, and recorded 27 RBIs. Over his 10-year MLB career, he has slashed .253/.301/.373 with 68 home runs and 335 RBIs. He would represent a clear upgrade over Campusano, who batted .227/.281/.361 last season and struggled defensively.
So far, the Padres have yet to make any major additions this offseason via free agency or trades. Their activity has been limited to minor league signings, and they notably missed out on Roki Sasaki, who signed with their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Padres are aiming to reduce payroll while addressing key roster needs. Catcher remains one of those needs, and if the Twins are willing to absorb a significant portion of Vázquez’s contract, he could be an ideal short-term solution for San Diego as they await the arrival of top prospect Ethan Salas.
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