Quote from fenn68 on May 24, 2026, 3:33 am

I have been impressed by Duran's defense (especially his arm on steals) and the pitchers seem to like throwing to him. However, not seeing his ability to hit any better than Fermin over the long haul.

This year Duran is 133/278/333 (mainly due to the HR) and in his long run in the minors never showed much offense. Yes, Fermin is having a bad season at 146/253/191 but his ML career is good at 253/309/357 and although billed as a back-up in KC actually was in 111 games in 2024 and 109 games in 2025 ... basically 2 out of 3 games, so not a small sample size. Add that Fermin is also ranked as a plus defensive catcher. Too soon to give up on Fermin.

Head scratcher on the move when Campusano returns but expect Duran to be optioned then at 28 should see him on the 40 man for some time with 6 years of control and 3 minor league option years ... if nothing else a valuable defense first call up option.

If Campusano shows he can play (and stay healthy) in the ML, might see Fermin become a trade chip at some point. He is 31 and catchers tend to really drop off around that age. Remember Salas will be here in 2027-28, so a catching crowd. Actually Campusano may be a trade chip if defense is the priority for catcher (Duran, Fermin, and Salas are better) and catchers are in need in the ML. Campusano is already in ARB and has the shortest control yet still young.

2028 Salas / Duran as a defensive first option?

Quote from Jeremy Hill on May 24, 2026, 5:35 am

I've been impressed by Duran. I don't think you can really draw any meaningful conclusion off of 18 PAs though. He had a HR robbed and a 2B taken away by a nice play as well. If those are hits his slash line looks completely different. He seems to have good plate discipline and he's made some hard contact so far. His metrics look really good in a small sample size. The much larger sample size that is his minor league work says that we probably shouldn't expect too much from him offensively. Still, the pitchers say he calls a good game and he looks pretty strong defensively. It doesn't take much offensively to turn that into a useful piece. It's been enough to keep Fermin in the big leagues. Duran has a chance to at least make the decision to send him back down hard if he keeps showing well while Campusano is out. I don't think they would option Fermin. I do think you could make a case for potentially keeping 3 catchers and dropping one of the other bench options.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 24, 2026, 6:04 am

While Campy has improved in all facets as a catcher, he still is not as good as either Fermin or Duran or even Salas defensively.  His best positions moving forward are 1b and DH provided he keeps hitting.  He also could part of  a trade for a team that believes he could be an offense-first catcher who won't hurt them that much defensively.  I've been a big Campy fan since I saw him play at Lake Elsinore back in 2019 but he's going to be 28 this year so unless we change the make-up of our bench, I can see him involved in a trade although he alone won't bring a potential better SP to the rotation or even a durable quality RP to the team.  I know it's a small sample size on his hitting this year but he's gotten key hits and I believe reversed the downside impact of a horrendous 2025 major league season despite having a very good year offensively at El Paso.

Quote from fenn68 on May 24, 2026, 7:16 am

I know we all get a bit of tunnel vision based on our hopes for production out of players but let us add some league perspective on the catcher position ... and the current Fermin / Campusano / Duran (18 AB only) is not all that bad.

Offense wRC+ is 13th in the league (84) clearly driven by Campusano and defense is 4th clearly driven by Fermin. So, maybe, the Padres don't see a priority issue at this point and would be comfortable with Duran as the call-up if needed sitting in AAA ... maybe make a different call at the trade deadline. (note: Blake Hunt is now rehabbing in AZ and should land in AAA soon ... veteran with ML experience and good defense but not much offense who could make moving a catcher feasible).

That strategy would "buy some time" to see if Fermin rebounds, Campusano regresses, Duran shows well (in remaining ML time and in AAA), and Hunt rounds into shape for potential insurance. Plus, will allow for some teams to really want to upgrade or fill injury at the catcher position.

Teams that want to boost some offense ... Campusano might look good as an option (note some teams have wRC+ for their catchers below 50). Others are really poor defensively where even a poor hitting Fermin might look good. Actually Campusano is grading out as a better defensive option that what a number of teams currently have. Note a "contender" in the AL ... CWS ... is near the bottom in both offense and defensive metrics. A lot of options for Preller potentially out there for a deal of someone. Other "contenders" are near the bottom either offensively or defensively ... might see interest.

Preller may just want the insurance and make no deal. He also needs to set his preference to maximize defense or preserve some offense while linking that to the most useful return he can gain.

None are going to generate a major return ... most likely a prospect ... maybe near ML ready as a bench piece ... maybe a high upside prospect in the lower minors. Although, at the trade deadline, might trade one of the catchers (low cost long control) for a higher profile "rental" from a non-contender.

Preller has a lot of options after weaving through a lot of IF/THEN scenarios ... but not in a hurry.

Quote from fenn68 on May 24, 2026, 10:48 am

This is just pure speculation on my part but Pablo Reyes was put on the temporary inactive list by EP a couple of days ago. That is generally used for a player being away from the team (not injured or suspended, etc). Often a family matter.

Is it possible that he was called to SD as insurance if Merrill injury was more severe? Is it possible that with the struggles of Song hitting ... might be be a RHH super utility option (he plays all the INF/OF slots) and Song (LHH) gets optioned ... maybe more so if they see Cronenworth out long term?

Reyes is not kid ... 32 and a fair amount of time in the ML (did OK). Might have an opt out in his minor league deal about now. He has over a .900 OPS in EP. Song may have a future but now now sitting on the bench and not hitting when playing ... better developing in EP? Reyes as a veteran and his versatility might do better for the team.

No idea if any of this is in the Padres' plan ... but seems like a plausible scenario to upgrade the team now.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 24, 2026, 10:54 am

I still have my fingers crossed that we can re-acquire Jairo Iriarte from the White Sox.  I know his trouble has been with his command and hence, high bb/9 innings rate, but that arm is golden.  We were just getting his mechanics better and a lower walk rate when he was traded in the Cease deal.    I don't believe Preller normally trades for someone he has traded away but could Iriarte be an exception?

Quote from ultratvfan on May 24, 2026, 5:46 pm

The Padres drop to 1.5 game behind the Dodgers.

King did not look good and the offense could not get it done once again.

France goes 2 for 4 and 1 HR. He now has a .279 avg and .846 OPS. He is a keeper and should be the regular 1st baseman.

Tomorrow the tough Phillies come to town.

GO PADRES!

Quote from Alex Tamayo on May 24, 2026, 8:57 pm

Quote from ultratvfan on May 24, 2026, 5:46 pm

The Padres drop to 1.5 game behind the Dodgers.

King did not look good and the offense could not get it done once again.

France goes 2 for 4 and 1 HR. He now has a .279 avg and .846 OPS. He is a keeper and should be the regular 1st baseman.

Tomorrow the tough Phillies come to town.

GO PADRES!

King did pitch 7 innings against the smurs, don't remember how many pitches he threw, but I think it was a season high, so, even though he had an extra day of rest, still, he is probably not 100% in terms of recovery time needed after a tough game, so, he probably gets a pass, besides the A's are a .500 club right now, so, a sweep wasn't gonna be that easy, let's hope they win the next series, that would mean having a winning homestand.