Matt Thaiss, a left-handed hitting catcher, is an excellent option for the San Diego Padres behind the plate. 

Currently, the San Diego Padres only have Luis Campusano as a viable option for the coming season at the catcher position.

However, the former top prospect did not make the roster late in the season and into the playoffs. Elias Diaz signed with the Padres, and he backed up Kyle Higashioka, not Campusano. To say his future with the team is cloudy is an understatement. We will see which way the Padres go with Campusano.

With World Series ambitions, the Padres will surely make sure their whole roster is secured with talent.

The future catcher for the Padres is Ethan Salas, who the team selected on the international market two years ago.

Ethan Salas is a phenom, but the 18-year-old will need some time to develop.

In the meantime, the Padres would be wise to secure a tandem to play the position for the next season or two.

Matt Thaiss is a 29-year-old catcher with six years of major league service time with the Angels. Los Angeles signed Travis d’Arnaud to a two-year deal this winter to mentor Logan O’Hoppe, their catcher of the future. That left the long-time Angel out in the cold. He was designated for assignment on Thursday.

The fact that Thaiss bats left-handed is very intriguing. You just do not see many left-handed hitters from the position that requires a right-handed thrower. Thaiss owns a career .655 OPS in 663 major league at-bats. He has slugged 22 homers in that time and driven in 79 runners. The power potential is there, but he comes with swing-and-miss ability as well.

There are some concerns as Thaiss is considered a below-average defender. He threw out only 14.8 percent of runners last season when the league average was around 21.

This is not someone who is probably capable of starting on an everyday basis, but his bat is useful, especially if you counter it with Campusano or maybe Kyle Higashioka. He may even be useful as a third catcher on the roster. Thaiss is capable of playing first base in a pinch and broke into the league in 2019 as a third baseman. He played 268 innings at the position during his rookie season. In fact, Thaiss also has experience in left field and second base, though his days there are likely over. He is a useful player.

It will all come down to cost and fit. Matt Thaiss made the league minimum last season and will require little more than that. A team may throw a multi-year deal his way, but in all likelihood, he will be looking for work in early February. It shouldn’t require much to secure his services. A left-handed, right-handed tandem could be beneficial for the Padres next season behind the dish.

A player like Thaiss, who is playing on a one-year deal and is highly motivated, is a valuable commodity. He will have every incentive in the world to explode in 2025.

Why not let it be in a Padres uniform?

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.