The catcher could be on the move soon as the Padres work on solving their catching logjam.
The San Diego Padres are involved in active trade talks centered around catcher Nick Hundley, according to a report from Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Hundley has shared backup catching duties with Rene Rivera behind Yasmani Grandal so far this season, but it appears that the Padres are looking to clear some roster space by exploring trades involving Hundley.
Hundley, 30, has hit .333 with 1 HR and 1 RBI while only appearing in ten games and seeing 21 plate appearances. He could be an interesting option for teams looking for catching help like the Yankees or Nationals, and is likely to be moved to a team that sees him as a primary backup, not a third catcher.
Hundley is in the final year of a three-year, $9M extension that he signed after the 2011 season, and is due to make $4M this season. Because that may be more than a team is looking to spend on a backup catcher, it would make sense for San Diego to include some cash in any trade involving Hundley, liking increasing the return that they receive.
In 487 games over seven major league seasons with the Padres, Hundley is a lifetime .238 hitter with 47 HR and 193 RBI. His best season came in 2011, when he hit .288, but he has struggled offensively over the last two seasons, hitting .157 in 58 games in 2012 and .233 in 114 games last year.