Derek Norris Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Padres Catcher | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Emma Valentine
Published Mar 23, 2026
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.
Multiple Teams Linked to Norris
Sunday, July 31
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports first reported on July 24 that the Padres were looking to move Norris.
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:
| Derek Norris' Career Stats | ||||||
| 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 |
| Source: ESPN.com | ||||||
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.
