The San Diego Padres and catcher have reportedly agreed to a contract, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. The deal is said to be a minor-league contract.
Maldonado, 38, has been in the MLB since 2011 and has played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox. He is most recognized for his time with Houston and Milwaukee, where he spent parts of six seasons with each team.
Although Maldonado has not been known for his offensive contributions, he won a Gold Glove with the Angels in 2017. His primary strength lies in his ability to handle pitchers and provide leadership behind the plate.
In 2024, Maldonado played for the White Sox, posting a .119/.174/.230 line in 48 games. With the Padres, he could potentially earn the backup catcher spot, though there are no guarantees.
As the offseason progresses, the Padres are still looking to strengthen their roster. Adding a seasoned veteran like Maldonado could help the team in 2025. Catchers with experience managing pitchers are always valuable assets.
The Padres’ biggest remaining offseason question is whether they will sign top pitching prospect Roki Sasaki. They are competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays for his services. Adding Sasaki would significantly improve their chances of challenging the Dodgers in the National League West.
San Diego still has room to grow, but with a promising roster, it will be intriguing to see what other moves they make before spring training.
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