SAN DIEGO, CA: Catcher Elias Díaz has signed a minor league contract with the Padres, according to a tweet from Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. The news that Díaz and the Padres had reached a consensus was initially reported (on X) by Venezuelan reporter Rafael Petit.
Since August 16, when the Rockies dismissed him, Díaz has been a free agent. According to reports, he turned down a chance to play with the Giants because San Francisco wouldn't promise he'd be on the MLB roster once starting pitcher Patrick Bailey recovered from an injury.
Díaz won't sign a big league contract with San Diego right away, but it could be better to sign a minor league deal now rather than play big league ball for a short time in San Francisco with the chance to be released in September.
For the seasoned catcher, it makes little financial difference when he signs. Díaz is still eligible to receive his full $6 million compensation from Colorado. San Diego would pay him the prorated $740K league minimum (which would be removed from the Rockies' books) if they were to bring him up at any time.
Regardless, Díaz will hit free agency at the end of the season, having spent more than six years in the Major League Baseball. His main objective in making this agreement is to maybe get on a playoff roster. San Diego is clearly far more likely to make the postseason because they are now eight games ahead of the Giants in the standings. A player does not have to be on the 40-man roster to begin play; they simply need to be in an organization.
After 327 plate appearances, Díaz was hitting .270/.315/.378. Colorado released him to get a closer look at prospect Drew Romo. A high batting average on balls in play at Coors Field was a major factor in that productivity.
A strong contact hitter, Díaz blasted 14 home runs in the previous season (not counting the home run in the All-Star Game that won him MVP). This year, he has improved his pitch framing marks and does a great job of managing the running game.
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