The San Diego Padres have spent much of the 2025 season looking for the missing piece to transform a talented roster into a complete contender. For months, the club leaned heavily on its star power while patching holes around them. But the one glaring weakness was always behind the plate. Martín Maldonado and Eliaz Díaz had filled the position with inconsistent at-bats despite serviceable gloves, leaving the Padres with a black hole in their lineup just when they needed stability the most. That’s why the front office took a swing at the deadline, and why the gamble has already paid off in October-caliber fashion.
Padres catcher Freddy Fermin proves their trade deadline deal was a win-win
