Elias

Diaz

The Orioles are known to be in the market for help behind the plate as James McCann hits free agency and it’s believed they will be casting a wide net. Díaz, 34, had a down season by his standards in 2024, slashing a mere .265/.313/.382 with just six homers and 39 RBI in 351 plate appearances between the Rockies and Padres. He would represent a solid, if unspectacular, backup option for the O’s behind Adley Rutschman and they wouldn’t have to break the bank to bring him in.

Diaz will give the Padres some depth behind the plate for the remainder of 2024. The 33-year-old backstop was signed by San Diego to a minor-league contract at the end of August after being released by the Rockies.

The Padres also plan on activating Wandy Peralta from the injured list as their pitcher for the roster expansion. Diaz, 33, was signed to a minor league contract earlier in the week after he was cut loose by the Rockies. It’s unlikely that he sees enough playing time to gain any sort of relevance from a fantasy perspective.

Díaz was cut loose by the Rockies a couple weeks ago and winds up latching on with the division-rival Padres. The 33-year-old backstop will head to Triple-A El Paso initially, but could find his way to San Diego rather quickly. He’s unlikely to make much of a fantasy impact away from Coors Field, but he’s definitely a nice depth addition for the Padres.

The lack of interest in Díaz was surprising, but he has a shot at going to the postseason now. The Padres might have him replace Luis Campusano after he spends a little time in the minors. Díaz hit .270/.315/.378 for the Rockies before being released earlier this month.

Diaz had been placed on waivers earlier this week. Now that he’s been released he’s free to sign with any team and that team would only be obligated to pay him the prorated league minimum and not the $1.5 million that was remaining on his contract had he been claimed off waivers. Diaz was the MVP of the All-Star game a year ago, but hit .270 with 36 RBI and a .693 OPS this year.

The Rockies will continue to Rockie. Despite Elias Díaz being involved in plenty of trade rumors before the deadline, he was not moved, partially due to his calf injury, but now the Rockies will move on from him for nothing. A little more than a year ago, Díaz was the MVP of the All-Star Game, but now any team can claim him for the $1.5 million remaining on his contract, plus the $50,000 waiver fee. That appears to be the crux of this business decision for the Rockies. Still, it’s hard to believe that no team was willing to trade them a low-level minor leaguer who the Rockies could have taken a gamble on upside with. In 304 at-bats this season, Díaz is hitting .270 with five home runs, 36 RBI, and a .693 OPS. It’s certainly not a banner year for him, but he remains a solid catcher who could be a strong addition for a contending team down the stretch.

Díaz is back handling the catching duties following a two-game absence due to a lingering left calf issue. The Rockies were probably going to need him back no matter what after Jacob Stallings caught all 12 innings during Monday’s extra-inning marathon against the Red Sox.

The good news, at least for the time being, is that the 33-year-old backstop hasn’t been placed on the injured list. Díaz missed a couple of weeks at the end of June though with a left calf strain and if he doesn’t improve in the next day or two he may end up requiring another trip to the injured list. Fantasy managers should plan accordingly.

Diaz missed two weeks while dealing with a left calf strain. The backstop is in the starting lineup Sunday as the designated hitter, and he should be able to move behind the plate in the coming days. With Diaz on the IL, the Rockies designated infielder Elehuris Montero for assignment to make room.