Puerto Rican catcher Martin Maldonado has reached a one-season deal with the Chicago White Sox, sources confirm to ESPN.
CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Puerto Rican catcher Martin Maldonado, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
Maldonado, 37, replaced Yasmani Crandall, who left in free agency after spending four years with the White Sox. Maldonado reunites with former teammate Corey Lee, who was traded to Chicago from the Houston Astros last summer.
The two should split playing time as Lee continues his development as a major league backup. Compared to Maldonado's 1,118 games over a 13-year career, he has appeared in 36 career games, including 65 postseason games.
After the team lost 102 games last season, Maldonado brings leadership to a clubhouse, though his own play has not been the same. Maldonado batted below .200 in each of the past three seasons, but his game management and stewardship of the Astros pitching staff were highly praised during his time there. Houston has finished in the top 10 in ERA every full season since Maldonado joined the team in 2018. He was part of three World Series teams, including the team that captured the championship in 2022.
Meanwhile, the White Sox are in the midst of rebuilding their pitching staff after trading three starters in July and letting another (Mike Clevinger) leave in free agency this winter. They ranked 26th in ERA last season. The team recently signed starter Eric Fede, who won the equivalent of the Cy Young Award in the KBO last season.
While Maldonado will mentor Lee, Maldonado will be tasked with getting the pitching staff over as he will be given the chance to be the long-term starter after Maldonado leaves.
Maldonado's deal with the White Sox was first reported by the New York Post.
