Ethan Salas’ Emergence Could Lead the Padres to a Trade

After a roller coaster season, the San Diego Padres now face another busy offseason with plenty of decisions to make.

Among those decisions is a potential logjam at catcher. The Golden Boy has arrived and looks the part, Luis Campusano is coming off a solid campaign, and Freddy Fermin has finished as a Gold Glove finalist.

There is no question regarding Ethan Salas. He is the catcher of the future and projects to be a franchise cornerstone. This leaves a decision to be made between Campusano and Fermin.

Both players are arbitration-eligible. Luis Campusano’s projected salary is $1.6 million, while Fermin’s is slightly higher at $2.6 million. Neither player will cost the Padres much, so salary is not a major factor in this decision.

Both players bring something different to the table, and each has trade value. So, let’s break down both players and decide which one the Padres should move.

The Argument for Keeping Luis Campusano

The path to Campusano becoming an everyday player hasn’t been easy. In 140 games between 2023 and 2024, he hit .261 with a .718 OPS, right around league average. He followed those seasons with an 0-for-21 start to 2025, which sent him back down to Triple-A El Paso.

Campusano put his head down and had a ridiculous season, batting .336 with a 1.039 OPS, 25 home runs, and 95 RBI in El Paso.

His offensive production translated to the majors in 2026, as he posted a .265/.363/.433 slash line with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 248 plate appearances.

This is where Campusano’s value lies. Among catchers with at least 240 plate appearances, Campusano ranks eighth in batting average, third in on-base percentage, and 12th in slugging percentage.

Finding a catcher who can consistently provide offensive production is difficult at the major league level, and plenty of teams could use some extra thump behind the dish.

Defensively, Campusano is a negative, posting an overall Fielding Run Value of -4. However, a team looking for additional offense may be willing to accept his defensive shortcomings in exchange for his production at the plate.

The Argument for Keeping Freddy Fermin

Fermin was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline to bolster the Padres’ abysmal catching duo of Martin Maldonado and Elias Diaz. He quickly won the starting job upon arrival and caught every inning of the 2025 postseason.

Fermin’s value revolves primarily around his glove. As mentioned previously, he earned a spot as a 2026 Gold Glove finalist, and rightfully so.

Among all catchers, Fermin ranks eighth in Fielding Run Value at nine. Individually, he ranks in the 85th percentile or better in Blocks Above Average, Caught Stealing Above Average, and pop time.

However, Fermin’s bat leaves plenty to be desired. In 96 games, he posted a dismal .203 batting average with a .589 OPS.

Despite his struggles at the plate, Fermin’s defensive value helps offset his offensive limitations. For teams prioritizing run prevention and a reliable presence behind the plate, he still brings plenty to the table.

Who Should The Padres Trade?

Each player has a unique skill set, and both bring value to the roster. However, I believe it would be best for the Padres to shop Fermin. Let me explain.

After how the last three postseasons have gone for the Padres, offense needs to be a priority. Campusano gives the team a potential boost at the plate and can move between catcher and designated hitter, giving the lineup some added flexibility.

I believe Campusano can build off his success from 2026 while continuing to improve as a defender. While defensive development is far from guaranteed, Campusano’s offensive production gives him an advantage that is difficult to overlook. Fermin, meanwhile, is unlikely to reach that same offensive ceiling.

Now, to play devil’s advocate, there is value in retaining Fermin. He could help mentor Salas as he breaks into the majors, and he has already established a rapport with members of the pitching staff. Those are important factors to consider when evaluating what the Padres could lose by moving him.

Even so, Fermin may be the more logical player to trade. His defensive reputation should generate interest from teams looking to upgrade behind the plate. The Baltimore Orioles could pair him with Samuel Basallo, while the New York Yankees could add him alongside Austin Wells.

Final Thoughts

The Padres’ outlook would be brighter with Salas and Campusano leading the way behind the plate.

Losing Fermin’s defensive production would hurt, but I trust Salas to help make up for that difference. Salas was a tremendous defender throughout his time in the minors, and that ability isn’t going to suddenly disappear.

If Salas’ bat takes longer to develop, at least the Padres would have Campusano’s offensive production to help offset that.

Ultimately, this comes down to prioritizing offensive upside over defensive certainty. Fermin is a valuable player, but Campusano offers a skill set that is harder to find at the catching position. With Salas waiting in the wings, the Padres have an opportunity to turn a surplus into a roster upgrade elsewhere.

Trade Fermin, keep Campusano, and let Salas take over the future of the position.