MLB insider views "Padres possible suitors for Gary Sanchez, Danny Jansen" in light of Angels' Travis D'Arnaud & Rangers' Kyle Higashioka acquisitions

While the San Diego Padres have been effective at keeping their core group of talent, they are not immune from the winds of offseason change that bring forth new demands. After it was announced that catcher Kyle Higashioka inked a two-year deal with the Rangers this week, the race was on to find a replacement.

On Wednesday's edition of the Baseball Insider's Podcast, host Robert Murray dedicated some time to discussing the Friars' need for a new backstop. In response to a fan question that touched on Higashioka's departure, Murray claimed:

"I would view them as possible suitors for maybe a Gary Sanchez, or maybe a Danny Jansen type"

In his reply, Murray claimed that the Padres should be checking in on Gary Sanchez and Danny Jansen - two free-agent catchers. Sanchez played 72 games for San Diego in 2023 before signing a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, with whom he hit .220 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 89 games last season. Jansen is a free agent after hitting .205/.309/.349 with 9 homers and 24 RBIs in 92 games last year.

Murray proceeded to highlight that while the Padres' choice of Sanchez or Jansen is not ideal, there is a dwindling number of big-name catchers remaining on the free agency market. As the podcast host continued:

"I would think with Travis d'Arnaud and Higgy (Higashioka) both off the board, and there being limited options available in free agency, that to me could end up being a market that moves quicker than others here. You have Jansen, who is a strong option, you have Sanchez who ended up having a good year in Milwaukee. After that, the options start falling off."

Murray referenced veteran catcher Travis d'Arnaud's two-year, $12 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels as an example of another catcher who is off the market. Although Jansen and Sanchez had mixed-bag seasons in 2024, it appears as though - at least according to Murray - they represent the best options for the San Diego Padres at this point.

Catching is a point of priority for the San Diego Padres

After Higashioka's deal with the Texas Rangers, the Friars are left with 26-year-old Luis Campusano. In 91 games, the Georgia-born backstop hit .227 with 8 home runs and 40 RBIs. As Nick Lee recently observed in the East Village Times:

"However it happens, the Padres desperately need another quality catcher. Whether it’s another veteran on a one-year deal or a blockbuster trade, this team needs more competition for Campusano."

With time ticking, the chance to obtain the catcher they need dwindles by the moment for San Diego.