Royals Sign All-Star MVP in Free Agency

Salvador Perez will be turning 36 this season. And while he was still a rock at the dish, putting up 30-100 numbers again in 2025, he obviously needs plenty of time off behind the plate. He's settled into a routine of catching about 90 games a season.

Top prospect Carter Jensen is expected to get a full shot at splitting time with Perez this season at catcher and DH, but at just 22 years old, there's no guarantee he's able to make the big transition. He had a stellar 20-game debut in the majors last year (10 of those at catcher), hitting .300 with a .941 OPS. But a catcher that young taking on a regular role in the big leagues is a tall order. The Royals will need some experienced hands ready to strap on the tools of ignorance if necessary.

With that, the Royals have added more catching depth, signing 2023 All-Star catcher Elias Diaz to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp at spring training.

SIGNED: #Royals have signed C Elias Díaz to a minor-league contract.
— MLB Transaction Tracker (@MLBMovesTracker) February 20, 2026

Diaz, 35, has 11 years of experience in the majors and is a strong defensive backstop. In 2023 with the Colorado Rockies, Diaz experienced the highlight of his career when he was named the All-Star Game MVP. His two-run home run off Orioles closer Félix Bautista in the eighth inning lifted the National League to a 3-2 victory, and won him the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.

By the time of the MidSummer Classic, he was hitting .277 for the Rockies, and had maintained an OPS in the .800 through the end of June, with nine home runs. That was enough to earn him the honors of representing the team at the All-Star Game. In the end that year, he hit 14 homers with 72 RBIs while batting .267.

On his career, Diaz has a .247 average, with a .683 OPS, and an 80 OPS+.

Diaz's strong defensive skills add to Royals catching depth

But he is more known for his solid defensive skills, a strong throwing arm, and an ability to manage pitching staffs with good metrics in blocking the plate and framing.

2025 was a tough year for the veteran from Venezuela, hitting just .204 over 283 plate appearances with the San Diego Padres while dealing with injuries.

He'll have to battle with his former Rockies teammate, veteran backstop Jorge Alfaro, to win a potential job with the team.