The San Diego Padres are “close” to acquiring Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt, according to multiple media reports on Thursday.
#Braves and #Padres still working on a deal to send C Christian Betancourt to SD
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2015
Source: #Padres close to acquiring Bethancourt from #Braves. Working through final details. @Joelsherman1 on this. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
Right hander Casey Kelly is a name that has been discussed in possible trade talks for Beathancourt, according to Sherman.
Kelly was acquired from the Boston Red Sox as apart of the package for Adrian Gonzalez in 2011 and was a Top 100 prospect from 2010-13, according to MLB.com.
Bethancourt, 24, has spent parts of three seasons in the major, all with the Braves.
He’s been regarded as one of the Braves’ best catching prospects, and one of the best in baseball, thanks to his defensive skills.
Offensively, he’s struggled in his MLB career, batting .200 last season in 160 at bats with the only two home runs of his career.
The Padres already have two major-league capable catchers on their roster in Austin Hedges and Derek Norris.
The team also acquired Josmil Pinto from the Minnesota Twins off waivers earlier this offseason.
