Puerto Rican catcher Martin Maldonado and the White Sox have agreed to a one-year contract, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com reporter Scott Merkin.
Maldonado, 37, spent the past six seasons with the Astros after Houston acquired him in a trade with the Angels in the 2018 offseason. The senior has a .207/.282/off line. 13 of 72 seasons with the Astros, Angels, Brewers, Cubs and Royals with a .349 OPS+.
Maldonado has been a premier catcher for the past half-decade, known for his excellent defense and ability to handle pitching staffs. Although he had a .623 OPS with the Astros, which has fallen to .593 over the last three seasons, Maldonado has established himself as the starting catcher thanks to his defense and success working with Houston's pitchers. Dominican Yanner Diaz, who had a breakthrough season as a rookie in 2023, and Puerto Rican veteran Victor Caratini, who signed a multiyear deal with Houston this winter, will share the Astros' catcher position in 2024.
For the White Sox, it's a logical signing for a group with a young pitching staff in need of another catcher to share the role with Max Stassi, who the White Sox acquired in a trade with the Braves earlier this month. With a number of roster changes likely under new general manager Chris Getz, including the possible trade of luxury starter Dylann Seaz, Houston has value in signing a veteran catcher who has been on several winning teams.
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