White Sox Sign Free Agent Catcher Martin Maldonado

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with veteran backstop Martin Maldonado. Per reports, the deal is for one year and includes an option for 2025. The 37-year-old is the second catching acquisition Chicago has made this offseason. The White Sox received Max Stassi in exchange for cash considerations earlier this month.

Maldonado spent the last four seasons with the Houston Astros, who signed catcher Victor Caratini to a two-year deal during the Winter Meetings. The veteran reunites with White Sox catching prospect Korey Lee, who Chicago acquired at the deadline for Kendall Graveman. He will also reunite with Pedro Grifol, who he briefly played for in Kansas City in 2019.

Mixed Bag

The veteran backstop is well-regarded for his game-calling ability and work with pitchers. The White Sox will have a wide array of bounce-back candidates and inexperienced starting pitchers in 2024, making Maldonado a good fit. 

While known for his defensive abilities behind the dish for most of his career, statcast graded Maldonado as the worst pitchframer in baseball. However, he did a decent job blocking balls, and his pitchers raved about his game-handling.

What's On Tap Next?

Maldonado is known for his ability behind the dish, which has kept him in the league for 13 years despite his below-league-average production at the plate. The veteran will work with Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech, and many other starters. He will serve as a stop-gap for top-catching prospect Edgar Quero, who spent all of 2023 in Double-A.