Padres Acquire Catcher Freddy Fermin from Royals

The San Diego Padres have acquired catcher Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals in a trade completed roughly three hours before the trade deadline. Fermin, 30, provides a modest offensive boost with a .255/.309/.339 slash line this season, along with a defensive upgrade featuring one of the best pop times and above-average pitch framing and blocking. He is controllable through 2029, offering San Diego a younger option behind the plate.