Chicago — Martín Maldonado is prepared to assist the Chicago White Sox’s young pitchers. The same holds true for his new team’s catchers.
On Friday, Maldonado accepted a $4.25 million, one-year contract with Chicago, accepting the task of managing a pitching staff that may be inexperienced.
while asked what the most important factors were while working with a new group of pitchers, Maldonado mentioned his preparation and his concern for the staff.
“Just comprehend their goals and how you can help them succeed,” he advised.
In addition to his $4 million salary this season, 37-year-old Maldonado has a $4 million club option for 2025 that includes a $250,000 buyout.
“I think the most important thing is whatever I have to do to help those guys win games,” he remarked.
In order to create space on Chicago’s roster for Maldonado, infielder Zach Remillard was designated for assignment. In 54 games last year, Remillard hit.252 with one home run and eighteen RBIs in his major league debut.
Maldonado played for the Astros in the 2022 World Series during his more than four years there. His defense and game-planning skills with pitchers, which the White Sox are expected to rely largely on younger pitchers this season, could be put to the test.
Maldonado tied for the AL lead with 116 starts at catcher during the previous season, and his 3.91 catcher ERA was sixth in the majors. On August 1, Framber Valdez achieved his third career no-hitter against Cleveland, which he also witnessed.
Maldonado was a finalist for the AL Gold Glove in 2021 with the Astros and won the award in 2017 with the Angels.
Maldonado matched his career high of 15 home runs (2022) and 36 RBIs in 2022 with a.191 batting average last year. Throughout his career, he has hit.207 with 111 home runs and 361 RBIs in 1,119 games.
With the White Sox trade, Maldonado is reunited with 25-year-old catcher Korey Lee, who was acquired by Houston in July. Additionally, it reunites him with Pedro Grifol, the manager of the White Sox.
Maldonado played a portion of the 2019 season with Kansas City, where Grifol was the catching coordinator for the Royals.