Following five seasons in Denver with the Colorado Rockies, free agent catcher Elias Díaz has found a new home with the San Diego Padres after spending the second half of 2024 with them. Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase reports that Díaz and the Padres have come to terms on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. The deal, pending a physical, also includes a mutual option for 2026. Díaz appeared in 96 games between Colorado and San Diego last season, batting .265/.313/.382 over that span. Entering his age-34 season, the veteran backstop has a career .251/.304/.388 slash line with a .692 OPS and a 5.4 WAR.
Former All-Star catcher Elías Díaz is in agreement on a one-year /$ 3.5MM deal with the San Diego Padres, sources tell @ElExtrabase.
The deal includes a mutual option for 2026 and is pending a physical.
— Daniel Álvarez-Montes (@DanielAlvarezEE) January 28, 2025
Padres Sign All-Star Catcher Elias Díaz to One-Year Deal
Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent in 2008, Díaz spent five seasons in Pittsburgh before signing with the Colorado Rockies in 2020. Signed to a minor league contract, Díaz made the Opening Day roster for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, batting .235/.288/.353 with two homers over 26 games. Díaz made his first All-Star Game in 2023 and won the game’s MVP after hitting the game-winning home run for the National League.
Despite hitting .270/.315/.378 over 83 games, the 34-year-old was released following the promotion of Drew Romo in August. Díaz signed a minor league contract with the Padres and joined the active roster in September.
What Díaz lacks in offensive power, he makes up for with an above-average contact rate and a below-average strikeout percentage. Despite his ability to score and drive in runs, the main source of his value is his defense. Díaz has long been one of the best defensive catchers in the majors. He caught 79 games last season, boasting a near-perfect fielding percentage, two framing runs, and a 46.9% strike rate. The veteran backstop ranked 12th among major league catchers with four caught stealing outs above average on 48 steal attempts. Díaz gives the Padres a major upgrade behind the plate as well as a right-handed bat that can hit for average and drive in runs.
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