Wed Jan 29 04:10:00 IST 2025: **Padres Sign Catcher Elias Díaz to One-Year, $3.5 Million Deal**
SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego Padres have signed catcher Elias Díaz to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2026, the team announced today. The agreement is pending a physical.
Díaz, 34, spent the latter part of the 2024 season with the Padres after signing a minor league deal following his release from the Colorado Rockies. While his offensive numbers were modest (.190/.292/.429 in 24 plate appearances), he provides a veteran presence behind the plate. The Padres chose to keep him on their postseason roster over Luis Campusano, although Kyle Higashioka received the majority of playing time. Both Higashioka and Díaz became free agents after the season.
This signing marks the Padres’ first free agent acquisition of the offseason, reflecting the team’s efforts to manage its payroll following the death of owner Peter Seidler and subsequent financial constraints. The team has been relatively quiet this winter, with their only previous move being the trade for pitcher Ron Marinaccio. The Padres’ budget limitations have reportedly impacted their ability to address other roster holes, including left field, starting pitching, and potentially shortstop. Díaz, known more for his defensive skills than his hitting, is considered a modest investment in a position of need. While his career offensive numbers are below average, his defensive contributions in blocking and controlling the running game are seen as valuable assets.
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