The San Diego Padres have finally made a move in free agency, albeit not in the way supporters had hoped. According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres will sign veteran catcher Martín Maldonado to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training. While not a headline-grabbing signing, the move brings some clarity to the Padres’ tumultuous catching position.
Padres Address Catcher Depth: Sign Martín Maldonado.
Maldonado, 38, is about to begin his 13th season in Major League Baseball. After hopping about early in his career, he settled with the Houston Astros. He played five seasons with Houston (2019-2023), winning the World Series in 2022. In 2024, he joined the Chicago White Sox, but had a disappointing season, batting.119/.174/.230 with four home runs, 11 RBI, and a.403 OPS (15 OPS+). His offensive troubles reflected the White Sox’s overall poor season.
Maldonado is known for his defensive abilities, but he has also witnessed a dip in certain areas. Statcast put him in the bottom tier in 2024 for Blocks Above Average (-2), Catcher Framing (-3), and Caught Stealing Above Average (-3).
How Maldonado Fits Into San Diego
After losing Kyle Higashioka to the Texas Rangers in free agency, the Padres knew they needed to sign a catcher. Maldonado’s addition adds experience but raises concerns about the overall output from the position.
He is anticipated to contend with Luis Campusano for playing minutes. However, Campusano has failed to establish himself as a consistent everyday option. As the offseason unfolds, Campusano might be traded or another catcher added.
While this signing fills one roster gap, the Padres still face substantial challenges, including budgetary constraints, an ownership dispute, and their pursuit of Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki. Martín Maldonado’s arrival is a modest first step, but it highlights the team’s urgent need for more movements.
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