Today: Maldonado has cleared waivers, and the White Sox have granted the catcher his unconditional release (per the White Sox via Scott Merkin of MLB.com).
July 17, 7:11pm: Chicago will recall Robinson from Charlotte for his first MLB work since 2022, reports Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
July 17, 6:10pm: The White Sox have designated catcher Martín Maldonado for assignment, per Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic on X. The Sox don’t play again until Friday, so the corresponding move or moves may not be immediately known.
Maldonado, 37, signed a one-year deal with the Sox in the offseason. The veteran backstop secured a $4.25MM guarantee in the form of a $4MM salary with a $250K buyout on a $4MM club/vesting option for 2025. The option would have vested with Maldonado making 90 appearances at catcher but he’s only at 48 this year.
He’s never been much of a hitter but has long received praise for his defense and his leadership abilities in working with a pitching staff. Teams have generally been willing to take that tradeoff over his career but he has declined on both sides of the ball to the point that it pushed him off his roster spot with the Sox.
Coming into this year, Maldonado had a career batting line of .207/.282/.349. That production translated to a wRC+ of 72, indicating he had been 28% below the league average hitter overall. Catchers tend to be roughly 10% below par, so that kind of hitting isn’t disastrous if there are defensive contributions to go with it. But his bat has been even less effective that unusual this season, as he has a dismal line of .119/.174/.230. His wRC+ of 11 is dead last in the majors among batters with at least 140 plate appearances this year.
On top of that, the marks on his glovework have also declined. He has 58 Defensive Runs Saved in his career but was at -10 last year and is at -8 already here in 2024 despite limited playing time. FanGraphs, Baseball Prospectus and Statcast have considered him to be a positive pitch framer in his career but he’s been in negative territory in 2024. The subpar bat was once palatable with strong defense, but declines in both departments have made him harder to stomach, so the Sox will apparently be moving on.
The Sox will need to call up another catcher to share time with Korey Lee and they have a couple of options. Chuckie Robinson was added to their 40-man about a month ago but kept on optional assignment. He’s hitting .246/.292/.382 in Triple-A this year for a wRC+ of 70 but the Sox presumably like him as they gave him that roster spot to prevent him from triggering an opt-out clause.
There’s also prospect Edgar Quero, who came over in last year’s trade that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López to the Angels. He’s having a great year, with a batting line of .274/.362/.462 and 141 wRC+ between Double-A and Triple-A so far. He’s a consensus top 100 prospect and arguably the club’s catcher of the future. He has just six games above the Double-A level on his track record and isn’t yet on the 40-man roster, but perhaps the Sox want to use the second half to have him get acquainted with some of their staff and/or face major league pitching.
The Sox will technically have a week from when the move becomes official to either trade or pass Maldonado through waivers, though the he’s likely to end up released in the coming days. He has more than enough service time to reject an outright assignment and no club will want to take on what’s left of his salary. If any team really believes in his game-calling abilities, he could perhaps garner interest after he’s released, when the Sox will be on the hook for the majority of the money he’s still owed. Another team could sign him at that point and only pay him the prorated version of the $740K league minimum, with that amount subtracted from what the Sox pay.
crise
With three home runs in the past five games I’m assuming the alien possession is manifesting itself in even worse ways in the clubhouse.
FartCop
Nooooo. There goes the season.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Back to the astros
❤️ MuteButton
yeah, NO
Mehmehmeh
He’s not returning to the roster. Entry level coaching position maybe.
rememberthecoop
And to think they were trying to get him to the all-star game…
cr4
Don’t disrespect the best catcher in the league that he deserved to be an All Star
FartCop
@cr4 at least he will still get MVP votes. And if he moves to the NL, that’s a potential double MVP.
DeepDownSouth
Huh
shortstop
No respect for a prodigious power hitter… this man has homered against all 30 teams in his career. His negative WAR is outweighed by his tangibles, just ask Dusty!
mlb fan
“Just ask Dusty”…Well, we certainly won’t be asking you that’s for sure.
Fred K. Burke
In Dusty we trusty!
shortstop
I like Dusty, just making a joke.
Samuel
Hey shortstop;
What’s a Catchers primary responsibility?
shortstop
Same as every other position… to provide value to his team.
Samuel
LOL
The funniest and most red herring post I’ve read on this board on over 12 years!
If you’re younger than 5 years old, you’re excused.
shortstop
Not really sure what your point is. He provides negative value in the field as well as at the plate. I pointed out his homerun totals in jest, but I agree, him not being a power threat is not the only the reason he has put up -1.5 WAR this year. Jake Rogers also has a poor batting line, but he has put up positive value due to his defense. So if Maldy’s only value at this point is as a clubhouse voice, then he should just join the coaching ranks.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Samuel you should really Cease and Desist with the constant put-downs, derogatory remarks, and the all around mocking condescension. It’s really quite unbecoming and reflects so much more on your character than on any point you’re trying to make.
FartCop
Saying “You’re excused” while providing zero insight? I bet you smell like microwave food and BO.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Yaaaayyyy!
avenger65
hyrax: I echo that sentiment. He should have been acquired to be a catching coach, not an active player.
Unclemike1525
I thought before the season he would be a decent P/U. Cut to Moe Howard in my head ” You know, It was my idea, But I don’t think much of it”.
Joe Kerr
I would like to volunteer to DFA about 12 more off their 40 man.
DarkSide830
Ironically has a 1.444 OPS this month.
rememberthecoop
I know. In his last 5 games he had 6 hits and 3 home runs.
NoNeckWilliams
Every team in baseball would still take him over Grandal.
CBeisbol
NNW
That seems…counter to the facts
NoNeckWilliams
What facts are those?
CBeisbol
NNW
Grandal is still on a major league roster, and M&M isn’t
NoNeckWilliams
That really doesn’t prove much. Grandal is three years younger and signed for 40% less than Maldonado.
Neither player is good, but Grandal has been one of the most overpaid players in MLB since 2020.
NoNeckWilliams
You go with that, junior. Two years from now, get back to me with the teams that want Grandal.
Why do you losers die on such small hills?
DevoPettis
I know some Angel fans think Patrick Sandoval for Martin Maldonado was a good deal but since his departure the team hasn’t been the same since. They then went with Jonathan Lucroy and Max Stassi. There still hasn’t been any type of strong clubhouse leaders from what I can see. Mike Trout isn’t. He’d rather be pitching NBA or NFL free agents to come to Philly!
Non Roster Invitee
.119, on the interstate headed to the bingo card.
Louholtz22
The Pale Sox aren’t known for brilliance but a savvy move nonetheless. He’s swinging a hot bat. With the trade deadline a couple of weeks away, they have this week to try and get something for him. If they waited, a bunch of other catchers might be dealt and they get nothing.
ohyeadam
Making lemonade I see
Yoyosoxsox
He was cranking hrs like the babe this month. I doubt this is the last we see of him.
Man What Runs With the Football
.119, I bet johnny Bench could still hit .119 at his age (76). And I’m not kidding
D2323
He’s turned the corner. I see a playoff series MVP in his future.
cwizzy6
Martin, YOU are a Chicago Cub.
stevewpants
Loved Martin in Milwaukee and I hope he catches on with somebody to finish out the year. For a number of years in his prime there was not a better catcher in the league… not counting the hitting part.
mlb fan
“Not counting the hitting part”…Martin has been an excellent catcher for many years(Gold gloves & a World Series Champion)and you don’t really need to qualify it by saying “the hitting part”, because 75% of starting catchers don’t hit much anyway. Outside of the top 4-6 offensive catchers(Will Smith, J.T Realmuto, the Contreras brothers and a couple others)Martin Maldonado’s offense was perfectly adequate for a defensive minded backstop and he even hit for a bit of power.
TheGr8One
lol for a number of years he was the best catcher in the league if you take out half of what it takes to play the game. That’s a hot take if I’ve ever read one!!!
mlb fan
“Hot take if I’ve ever read one”…Apparently you don’t watch enough baseball to know that a catcher’s primary responsibility is to play defense and handle the pitching staff.
TheGr8One
No that’s half his job. The other half is hitting. I watch enough baseball to see the catcher gets the same number of at bats as the other guys
Samuel
“Half of what it takes to play the game.”
TheGr8One (in your dreams);
A Catchers’ responsibilities in order are:
#’s 1 & 2.
Call a game. Handle the pitching staff.
3. Play defense. Particularly blocking balls and stopping runners for stealing. (The pitch framing stuff is silly.)
4. Hit.
–
Usually a starting Catcher will bat 4 times a game. On the other hand, he’ll call over 150 pitches per game, as well as attend to his other responsibilities – which on most teams are to coordinate the defense (the Catcher looks at 8 teammates, the 8 teammates look at the Catcher).
Did you ever play any baseball? On a field? .
The Catcher is the most important player on a teams roster. Any FO person worthy of his or her salt knows it.
OK – So you don’t know jack about baseball.
TheGr8One
Calling a game is priority number 1? That’s a joke and that argument loses all weight when a pitcher calls off a pitch. Happens all the time, who’s calling the game when the pitcher says no?
TheGr8One
I’ll even take it a step further catchers don’t coordinate the defense anymore this isn’t 1985. You see outfielders looking under their hat and infielders with cards in their pockets? They aren’t reading cooking recipes. Is their defensive alignment for that batter. Keep telling me I know nothing about baseball though lol
Astros2017&22Champs
A catcher maps out the entire game plan for the entire staff. A pitcher calling off a catcher is few and far between and usually reserved for star veteran pitchers. Maldy’s work behind the dish made his hitting almost meaningless. Astros pitchers respected his knowledge of their stuff and how to attack each hitters weaknesses. If you think the Astros dynastic run was despite Maldy then Samuel is right. You have no earthly idea what you are talking about!
Rishi
“half of what it takes to play the game”. For a great defensive catcher offense is less than half the game, considering he’d be the most important player on the field defensively. If a team has a good offense a standout defensive catcher is a great fit generally. This is why in a sense value is relative. Put peak Maldonado on the 23′ Braves and he’d be worth way more than his WAR or even defensive stats would ever appreciate.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
Also, for those years when Maldonado was supposedly “the best catcher in the league”, a guy named Yadier Molina was playing and I think he had Maldonado well and truly covered for talent.
Rishi
I mean Yadi is all around better because he could hit so much better. I don’t think any of us can truly know the impact the catchers had on the starters over those years. I mean they essentially can teach them how to pitch intelligently and what pitches to rely on and when. As well as helping them in their mechanics and not tipping pitches.
mp9
Come onn, not cascajo lol
fisk72
Baseball has left him.
Rsox
The White Sox second-half purge has begun
Aiden Awe
Losing Maldy is nothing. I was against the signing since day 1.
DonOsbourne
I would love to the see the Cardinals sign him to a minor league deal. Get him into the organization, spend the rest of the season getting familiar with the young players, and move into a coaching role next season.
Our young starters in Memphis could benefit a lot from working with this guy. Not to mention the young catchers.
UWPSUPERFAN77
Correct, if he would accept going to the minors!
DonOsbourne
I think once you’ve landed on the White Sox, minor league contracts are in your near future. No offense to anyone. That’s just where things stand this season.
nosake
Maldy is a take-no-prisoners kind of guy. If he played for your team, he was 1000% on your team. Streaky hitter; many are. Great catcher. Sneaky. Once saw him standing near 1B with the ball in his mitt when the base runner (Jared Walsh) stepped off base for a sec and he tagged him out. Walsh looked dumbfounded and thought sure time had been called, but nope. Hope he gets another spot.
Dumpster Divin Theo
1000%. Is that like way more than 100%? Asking for a friend
nosake
little better – for your friend
Astros_fan_in_Aus
Most Astros fans laughed when the Sox signed him. He is terrible with the bat and most of his catching metrics have been at the bottom end of the rankings for several years. The story that he is some sort of magician when working with pitchers is a nonsense story, trotted out by Crusty Baker to justify his continued selection.
That was shown up in his last year with the Astros when the pitchers’ ERA was better when throwing to rookie catcher Yainer Diaz than it was when throwing to Maldonado.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Jose Abreu says ha!
Tom the ray fan
As a rays fan I’d rather have him than keep giving Alex no action jackson at bats
Serubian
DFA Grifols.
PutPeteinthehall
Right on man. Was a dead game last Sunday. The only
one I will waste my time at this season. I knew once Kuhl walked/ let two men on with one out Grifol would not call for the intentional walk. When Kuhl went 3-2 on the batter in the box I told my teamster brothers watch for a home run. Sure enough right down the pipe and a decent lead was gone over the left field fence. Any decent manager calls for the unintentional intentional walk there to see if the batter chases. Load them up ok try for a double play. Grifol has no game strategy between his ears. Zero. A terrible manager, a terrible lineup, a terrible owner. Getz sucks too. Any fan making any noise at that game wore a pirates jersey.
Aiden Awe
I’m not sure if Getz gets some blame/criticism. He wasn’t going to suddenly turn the Wsox into contenders in one offseason. It wasn’t his decision to keep Pedro, it wasn’t his decision to cut 50m in payroll. His tenure so far is incomplete.
nrd1138
Grifol is a joke, and a bad one. We have seen this song and dance before with Ventura.. Expectations that somehow Grifol will do well with any team is laughable. He had a team that should have been better last season and nothing happened. Hoping this guy somehow finds it now is just silly. Its like ‘The Chairman’ is afraid of jettisoning bad managers because they somehow may become LaRussa 2.0.. Well they did have a guy that became pretty good from their system in the 90’s, his name was Francona.. So I guess its the Francona effect now that dooms the Sox to carry on with managers who have no clue.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Teamster brothers? Careful what you say, they’ll bury you
nrd1138
Boy good thing they got rid of him now, and not 2 months ago. I mean really does Getz have like a ‘My first GM’ book from Fisher Price or something?
msqboxer
Looks like we are reducing our number of former washed up Royals. Whatever they have on Gridol and Getz must be good to still be getting MLB paychecks.
AllAboutBaseball
Shocking! I did not see this coming.
CluHaywood
Martin Maldonado DFA’d. Brooks Baldwin coming up. So that means they are promoting Edgar Que…
*Chuckie Robinson is being promoted*
Yeah…okay. Why not…
GarryHarris
Someone will pick up Maldonado
mlb fan
He should get several opportunities to coach catchers or pitchers I would imagine. It might be getting to that point for Maldonado but obviously he’s had an excellent overall career.
letitbelowenstein
He’s batting .119 and has thrown out 3 of 42 base stealers. Why would anyone want him?
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
You gotta be pretty bad to be fired by the white Sox
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
Maldonado can take a month of vacation and then sign a minor league deal with somebody on August 31 to be an emergency catcher in case one of their top two catchers breaks or tears something in the playoffs.