Could the Miami Marlins take a flier on Padres' trade candidate Luis Campusano?

The Miami Marlins have plenty of work to do as MLB's winter meetings officially get started. Unfortunately for the club, one of their most pressing needs, an upgrade at catcher, may prove difficult.

The free agency market has seen several solid catchers, including names like Danny Jansen, Travis D'Arnaud, and Kyle Higashioka have already inked deals with new teams. This only leaves veterans like Carson Kelly, Yasmani Grandal, and Elias Diaz as free-agent options.

However, an intriguing window in the trade market may have just opened up. The San Diego Union-Tribute recently reported that the Padres are expected to part ways way with 2024 Opening Day starter Luis Campusano this offseason.

The former top prospect showed signs of promise in 2023 when he posted a .319 batting average and .356 on-base percentage while blasting seven homers across 163 at-bats.

Unfortunately, the 26-year-old plummeted back down to earth in 2025. Campusano hit just .227 with eight home runs across 277 at-bats, leading to him being DFA'd by season's end.

At just 26 years old, Campusano is an ideal buy-low candidate with an interesting upside. Perhaps a chance of scenery could help him right his career arc and reestablish his once-high potential.

The Padres' backstop also profiles as a sensible platoon option alongside the Marlins' incumbent starter Nick Fortes. Fortes, who made noticeable leaps as a defender last season, has drawn praise for his stellar blocking, pop time, and caught-stealing metrics.

Campusano's Baseball Savant page shows that he lacks any real defensive upside, ranking in the 10th percentile or lower in several key metrics. However, the five-year MLB veteran showed excellent signs as a batter as recently as 2023. If he can cut down on his strikeouts and rediscover his effective launch angel from that season, he could easily become an offense-first half of a platoon with Fortes.

The skills are there. The potential and prospect pedigree is present. And, most importantly, the price should be low. Peter Bendix and the Miami Marlins would be wise to buy low on Campusano.