Report: White Sox signing C Martin Maldonado

Field Level Media|published: Tue 26th December, 22:12 2023

Oct 19, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado (15) during the eighth inning in game four of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Globe Life Field. credits: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox and catcher Martin Maldonado have agreed on a one-year contract with an option for the 2025 season, MLB Network reported Tuesday night.

Maldonado, 37, is known more for his defensive skill and handling of pitching staffs behind the plate than he is for his proficiency standing at the plate. He had been with the Houston Astros since a 2019 trade that sent Tony Kemp to the Chicago Cubs, contributing to American League pennants in 2019, '21 and '22 and the World Series championship in 2022.

He batted .191 last season with 15 home runs and 36 RBIs in 362 at-bats over 116 games.

Maldonado, a native of Puerto Rico, was selected out of high school by the then-Anaheim Angels in the 27th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. He has played in the major leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers (2011-16), Los Angeles Angels (2017-18), Kansas City Royals (2019), Chicago Cubs (2019) and Astros (2018; 2019-23). He became a free agent in November.

He won a Gold Glove in 2017 with the Angels.

In his 13-year career, Maldonado is batting .207 with 111 home runs, 361 RBIs, a .282 on-base percentage and a .349 slugging percentage in 3,314 at-bats over 1,118 games.

—Field Level Media