Derek Norris Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Padres Catcher

The San Diego Padres are not realistic contenders as the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, and they are reportedly looking to trade catcher Derek Norris as part of a selling effort.

Continue for updates.    

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Multiple Teams Linked to Norris

Sunday, July 31

Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reported the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers are the main teams pursuing Norris.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports first reported on July 24 that the Padres were looking to move Norris.

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Norris Among Top MLB Catchers

Norris was a 2014 All-Star who played for the Oakland Athletics from 2012 to 2014 before joining the Padres. While he is struggling some at the dish in 2016 after hitting .250 in 2015 and a career-best .270 in 2014, he has reached double-digit home run totals in each of the last three years and brings some pop to the lineup from the catching position:

Season	Team	Games	Batting Average	Home Runs	RBI	OPS
2012	Oakland Athletics	60	.201	7	34	.625
2013	Oakland Athletics	98	.246	9	30	.754
2014	Oakland Athletics	127	.270	10	55	.764
2015	San Diego Padres	147	.250	14	62	.709
2016 (as of Sunday)	San Diego Padres	89	.193	12	33	.613

That type of long-ball potential from a catcher is likely attractive to teams looking to add some firepower, but Norris is arguably most valuable in the field, where he manages pitching staffs and nails runners on the basepaths.

He led the major leagues with 44 runners caught stealing in 2015 and is responsible for a career-high eight total defensive runs saved above average this season with more than two months remaining on the schedule, per FanGraphs.

From San Diego’s perspective, trading Norris could open the door for another contributor. Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors noted “Norris has been rumored as a trade candidate for months, thanks to the Padres’ rebuilding plans and the club’s desire to permanently promote top prospect Austin Hedges (who has crushed Triple-A pitching over the last two seasons).”

According to MiLB.com, Hedges is hitting .348 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI through 53 games at Triple-A this season.

While the Padres will likely be set at catcher with Hedges, any team that lands Norris will receive a former All-Star who is only 27 years old with a contract that is controllable through the 2018 season, per Spotrac. That formula could help a contender chase playoff spots for the next couple of years.