Looks like the consolation prize to J.T. Realmuto is going to be another year of Martin Maldonado, for the Houston Astros. The club pursued Realmuto in the offseason and ultimately gave up as the price tag wasn’t to the linking of club officials. In all honesty, the Astros were never going to spend that type of money on a top tier catcher to begin with.
Now they won’t have to, at least for another year. Maldonado, who signed a 2 YR/$7M deal prior to the 2020 season, is working on a one year extension to keep him in Houston through the 2022 campaign.
The Houston Astros are working on a contract extension to keep catcher Martin Maldonado on the team through the 2022 season.
Maldonado has never been an offensive minded catcher. His .217 career batting average and .644 OPS suggest he is better suited for a backup role. However, he fits on the Astros roster perfectly, and comes cheap. Aside from blocking Garrett Stubbs’ path to the big leagues, I thin this move is in the best interest of the team short term.
Where Maldonado lacks on offense, he handles a pitching staff well and is trusted by manager Dusty Baker. Having spent the majority of the past three seasons in Houston (acquired in 2018 at the trading deadline, left via free agency prior to 2019, reacquired at the trading deadline that same year), Maldonado is very familiar with the pitching staff. His veteran presence remains important when dealing with the young pitchers, as well as tutoring Stubbs.
Some people may look at this on the surface and cringe. Especially after the 3-32, with 15 strikeouts, start Maldonado has gotten off to this year.
With the money the Astros have tied up in current contracts, and Carlos Correa himself looking for a payday, the Astros aren’t in a place to sink excess funds into the catching position. We are not even sure the window for postseason success stays open after this year, with Zack Greinke and Justin Verlander becoming free agents and the possibility Correa walks.
This is a smart move by general manager James Click. Grab the veteran player while you can and not worry about the position entering the offseason.