Catcher Extraordinaire! Padres Land Martin Maldonado in Blockbuster Signing
The San Diego Padres have finally made a move in free agency, albeit not the splash fans were hoping for. According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres will sign veteran catcher Martín Maldonado to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training. While not a headline-grabbing acquisition, the move provides some clarity to the Padres’ unsettled catcher situation.
Padres Address Catcher Depth, Sign Martín Maldonado
Maldonado, 38, is set to enter his 13th MLB season. After bouncing around early in his career, he found stability with the Houston Astros. He spent five seasons with Houston (2019–2023) and won a World Series in 2022. In 2024, he joined the Chicago White Sox but endured a dismal season, posting a .119/.174/.230 slash line with four home runs, 11 RBI, and a .403 OPS (15 OPS+). His offensive struggles mirrored the White Sox’s overall disappointing year.
Known for his defensive skills, Maldonado has seen a decline in that area as well. According to Statcast, he ranked in the lower tier for Blocks Above Average (-2), Catcher Framing (-3), and Caught Stealing Above Average (-3) in 2024.
How Maldonado Fits With San Diego
After losing Kyle Higashioka to the Texas Rangers in free agency, the Padres had an urgent need to sign a catcher. Maldonado’s signing brings experience but also raises questions about the overall production they will receive from the position. He is expected to compete with Luis Campusano for playing time. However, Campusano has yet to solidify himself as a reliable everyday option. A trade involving Campusano or the addition of another catcher remains a possibility as the offseason progresses.
While this signing addresses one roster hole, the Padres still have significant challenges ahead, including financial hurdles, an ownership dispute, and their pursuit of Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. Martín Maldonado’s arrival may be a modest first step, but it underscores the team’s pressing need to make further moves.
