The Royals promoted Fermin to the major leagues in 2022. He was entrenched as KC’s backup catcher for the last three seasons. Last season, he was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award and has drawn praise as a top defensive catcher.

The San Diego Padres, having already completed a deadline-day blockbuster with the Athletics on Thursday for closer Mason Miller, finalized a trade to acquire catcher Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals. In exchange, the Padres are surrendering right-handers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek.

The Padres filled their need for a catcher roughly three hours before the trade deadline on Thursday, acquiring Freddy Fermin from the Royals