TheHouston Astros have reached a one-year contract extension with the 34-year-old Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher, according to general manager James Click.
Under terms of the deal, Maldonado will make $5 million in 2022, according to sources. The deal, which includes a $500,000 buyout, also has a $5 million vesting option for 2023 that becomes guaranteed if Maldonado plays in 90 or more games this season.
Maldonado has served two stints with the Astros and has emerged one of their core vocal leaders over these last couple of years. He’s making $3.5 million in 2021, the second season of a $7 million, two-year contract.
He’s off to a slow start offensively this season — with only three hits and 17 strikeouts in 34 at-bats — and has batted only .216/.291/.352 throughout an MLB career that spans 11 seasons. But his value comes in his handling of the pitching staff and his defense, particularly his arm strength.
Maldonado won a Gold Glove Award in 2017 and ranks as the game’s best pitch-framer in 2021.
He would have been eligible for free agency after the World Series.
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Victor Caratini is catching a Texas-sized star… The 30-year-old Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher has agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the Houston Astros, according to multiple reports. Caratini can reportedly earn additional performance bonuses. Caratini spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and hit .259 with seven homers…
Martin Maldonado is headed to The Windy City… The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the 37-year-old Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher, per ESPN sources. Maldonado replaces Yasmani Grandal behind the plate, as the latter left via free agency after spending four years with the White Sox. Maldonado…
