MLB Hot Stove: San Diego Padres

Austin Hedges or Derek Norris could be on the move

One of the tough decisions that will have a major impact on the Padres offseason will be deciding who is the starting catcher for 2016.

Austin Hedges and Derek Norris are both capable receivers; so expect other teams to make tempting offers for their services. Hedges is an accomplished defensive catcher with an improved bat, while Norris’ versatility to play other positions will make him an attractive option on the trade market.

Norris came to San Diego with a reputation of being a good offensive catcher, which is code for having issues defensively behind the dish. No one can argue that he improved immensely this year with calling a game, providing a wider target behind the plate and blocking pitches in the dirt.

Either one could be part of a package to acquire a quality middle infielder, as possible trade partners for the Padres include the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs. Each team has a surplus of middle infielders and the names you’ll hear in possible trade rumors include the Cubs’ Javier Baez, Starlin Castro and the Rangers’ Jurickson Profar. All of the players mentioned have tremendous upside offensively, so Preller will have to do his due diligence to see which one will have the most impact to the lineup.

Another option for the Padres is keeping both players in the lineup by shifting Norris to first base on a full-time basis. This would allow them to field their best defensive unit while keeping Norris’ bat in the lineup. The worst-case scenario is leaving Hedges in the backup role for another season while Norris catches the majority of the games in 2016.

Next: Cashner next to go