After already picking up Jason Castro from the Angels in another trade earlier today, the Padres would be looking to more reinforce themselves behind the plate with Nola, though Nola brings additional flexibility to the table. While Nola has actually mainly worked as a catcher this season, he has a great deal of experience initially base and 2nd base, plus a handful of games as a 3rd baseman and corner outfield.
The Padres and Mariners are “in active talks” about a trade that would send Austin Nola to San Diego, The Athletics Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). “A highly regarded prospect” would be returning to the Ms in the deal, according to ESPN.coms Jeff Passan.
Because Nola might be thought about more of a super-utility piece than as a pure catcher, the Padres could conceivably utilize him all around the diamond while still opting for Castro and Austin Hedges as their main catching tandem. Or, as Rosenthal hypothesizes, among Hedges or Francisco Mejia might be traded in other places, either to Seattle in this potential deal or possibly as part of yet another swap for the hectic Padres. Besides Castro, San Diego has actually likewise included Mitch Moreland and Trevor Rosenthal in handle the Red Sox and Royals, respectively, and the Padres remain in the hunt for such big-name pitchers as Mike Clevinger and Lance Lynn.
Initially a fifth-round choice for the Marlins in the 2012 draft, Nola plugged away in the minors prior to lastly making his MLB launching last season at age 29. Since reaching the bigs, Nola has actually done nothing however produce for the Mariners, striking.280/.351/.476 with 15 homers over 377 profession plate looks heading into todays action. He is also managed through the 2025 season, though San Diego might not necessarily see Nola as a long-lasting property considered that he turns 31 in December.
