Martín Maldonado Eyes One More Season in the Majors

Veteran catcher Martín Maldonado, who was released by the Chicago White Sox in July, is not ready to hang up his cleats just yet. Despite not signing with another team during the latter part of the 2024 season, Maldonado is determined to make a comeback for one more season, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

At 38, Maldonado has built a reputation as a defensive stalwart behind the plate. Over nearly 4,000 career plate appearances in the major leagues, his batting line of .203/.278/.344 translates to a wRC+ of 70, indicating that his offensive production has been 30% below league average. However, Maldonado's true value lies in his exceptional defense.

Throughout his career, Maldonado has accumulated 59 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), ranking among the top ten in the majors since 2012. His framing, blocking, and throwing abilities have consistently earned high marks from FanGraphs, Baseball Prospectus, and Statcast. Additionally, his leadership and ability to work effectively with pitchers have been praised by teammates and coaches alike.

Despite his offensive struggles, Maldonado has managed to secure four contracts over the past six years, with annual values ranging from $2 million to $5 million. Teams have appreciated his defensive contributions enough to overlook his limited production at the plate.

However, 2024 proved to be a challenging year for Maldonado. After signing a one-year, $4.3 million deal with the White Sox, he posted a dismal .119/.174/.230 batting line in 147 plate appearances, with a strikeout rate of 34.7% and a walk rate of just 5.4%. Even for a player with Maldonado's modest offensive expectations, these numbers were a significant drop-off, leading to his release in July.

Undeterred, Maldonado recently played for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League, where he hit two home runs in ten games but posted a .114/.184/.314 line. While the sample size is small, it demonstrates his continued desire to compete at a high level.

​As Maldonado prepares for a potential return in 2025, he aims to leave a better final impression in the major leagues. Teams in need of a reliable defensive catcher with veteran leadership may find value in giving Maldonado another shot. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can secure a spot on a roster and contribute to a team's success in the upcoming season.