The Chicago White Sox appear to be taking their first steps toward solidifying the catcher position in 2024 as Yasmani Grandal has hit the free agency market.
According to a report from John Heyman of the New York Post, the White Sox have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran reliever Martin Maldonado.
Maldonado, 37, is coming off a brutal offensive campaign with the Houston Astros that was offset by his effectiveness and rapport with the pitching staff.
Despite posting an OPS+ of 58, 70, and 66 the past three seasons respectively, Maldonado has had a 2.8 defensive WAR in that span of time, developing a wide-ranging rapport with the Astros pitching staff.
While Maldonado has been one of the league's lightest catchers in recent years, he has served as the Astros' starting catcher in each of the past four seasons, a role that could continue on the south side as the White Sox have no clear heir. To Grandal.
With young forwards Corey Lee and Carlos Perez also in the system, Maldonado's presence could serve a valuable purpose off the field for depth at the position within the organization.
On the south side, the White Sox are hoping Maldonado will bring some of his advanced game experience to a pitching staff that was among the worst in the league last season.
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