An MLB insider has a favorite San Diego Padres trade deadline move, and it's not the Mason Miller deal.
MLB insider's favorite Padres trade acquisition is not Mason Miller originally appeared on The Sporting News
The San Diego Padres were very busy at the trade deadline, swinging five deals addressing various aspects of the roster. Each of the moves was impactful, but for MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, his favorite deal isn't the one most would expect.
"Of all the deadline deals," Morosi said, "that trade between KC and San Diego was one of my favorites, and it's because I do believe that Freddy Fermin is talented enough to be the catcher on a World Series team."
"Of all the deadline deals, that trade between KC and San Diego was one of my favorites and it's because I do believe that Freddy Fermin is talented enough to be the catcher on a World Series team."
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 4, 2025
- @jonmorosi on #MLBCentralpic.twitter.com/GPQdpSFGpI
Morosi thinks that the addition of Fermin is a difference maker, and it's his favorite deal that A.J. Preller made at the deadline. It's not the Mason Miller blockbuster, which brought one of the most electric closers to San Diego. It's the trade for Fermin.
The Padres landed Fermin from the Kansas City Royals for Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert. He resolves the major question mark on the Padres' offense and in the lineup at catcher. Martin Maldonado and Elias Diaz weren't good enough, but Fermin is.
MORE: Padres trade Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek to Royals for a new catcher
While he's not the best catcher in the league, he's a significant improvement over all of the options the Padres have trotted out there this season. He has a 2.59 batting average in 2025 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 201 at-bats.
In the three games since he joined the Padres, Fermin is batting .333 with two RBIs and one walk, along with no strikeouts. While Miller is the eye-catching acquisition, and Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano are more powerful bats, Fermin is a huge pickup.
The Padres needed a catcher badly, and Fermin is a solid starter who is under team control for a while as well. The 30-year-old will take over at catcher for San Diego and can be, in the eyes of Morosi, the catcher on a World Series-winning team.
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Category: Baseball
