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, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.Continue for updates.Padres 'Pushing Hard' on NorrisSunday, July 24In addition to the Norris news, Passan noted San Diego is also attempting to move pitcher Andrew Cashner.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: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 when he is managing pitching staffs and nailing runners on the basepaths.He led the major leagues with 44 runnerscaught stealingin 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, perFanGraphs.From San Diegos perspective, trading Norris could open the door for another contributor.Mark Polishukof MLB Trade Rumors noted Norris has been rumored as a trade candidate for months, thanks to the Padres rebuilding plans and the clubs desire to permanently promote top prospectAustin Hedges(who has crushed Triple-A pitching over the last two seasons).According toMiLB.com, Hedges is hitting .367 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI through 47 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, perSpotrac. That formula could help a contender chase playoff spots for the next couple of years.
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