The Padres will have a new starting catcher in 2025.
Kyle Higashioka has agreed to a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers, according to multiple reports, ending hope of a reunion with a career backup who surged to the top of the Padres’ depth chart during the team’s push into the NLDS.
Given the Padres’ new financial reality — the organization has not outlined payroll for 2025, but several players are due raises after last year’s budget slash — a reunion with Higashioka was a long shot.
The deal, according to the Dallas Morning News, will pay Higashioka $5.75 million next year and $6.76 million in 2026, and includes a $7 million mutual option for 2027.
Higashioka earned $2.18 million in his final year of arbitration, hitting a career-high 17 home runs and adding three more in the postseason. He began the 2024 season as a backup to Luis Campusano. A throw-in as part of the Juan Soto deal, the 34-year-old Southern California native finished the season as the Padres’ No. 1 catcher.
Without a significant at the position, Higashioka’s exit leaves the Padres again pondering if Campusano can hold down the fort until top prospect Ethan Salas, 18, arrives.
The 26-year-old Campusano hit .227/.281/.361 with eight homers in 91 games. He started the season as the No. 1 catcher, missed some three weeks to a thumb injury and ultimately lost his spot on the depth chart as Higashioka binged on home runs in June.
Campusano also struggled defensively and ultimately was replaced on the roster by Elías Díaz. Campusano finished the season at Triple-A El Paso.
The 26-year-old Campusano hit .227/.281/.361 with eight homers in 91 games. He started the season as the No. 1 catcher, missed some three weeks to a thumb injury and ultimately lost his spot on the depth chart as Higashioka binged on home runs in June.
Campusano also struggled defensively and ultimately was replaced on the roster by Elías Díaz. Campusano finished the season at Triple-A El Paso.
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