On Friday, the Chicago White Sox officially announced the signing of veteran catcher Martin Maldonado.In order to make room for him, the Sox have designated infielder Zach Remillard for assignment.
The team has seven days to trade him, release him or outright him to the minors.
The 29-year-old infielder made his debut for the White Sox this past season, logging 147 at-bats. He hit one home run and drove in 18 while posting a .252 batting average.
Additionally, he did provide an incredible moment in the 2023 season, making some unique major league history in his debut back in June.
Remillard was drafted in the 10th round of the 2016 draft out of Coastal Carolina.
As for Maldonado, he gets a $4.25 million guarantee in 2024 and has an option for 2025.
The 37-year-old backstop just wrapped up his 13th year in the big leagues with the Astros, Cubs, Royals, Angels and Brewers. He was an integral part of the Astros for multiple iterations of their dynasty, playing for them in 2018 and then coming back for the back half 2019 until 2023. He helped Houston get to the World Series in 2019, 2021 and 2022, winning it in the latter year.
Never much at the plate, Maldonado is a lifetime .207 hitter who hit just .191 this past season for Houston. He did connect for 15 home runs, but his real value is in how he handles a pitching staff.
He’ll get plenty of chances to prove that with the Sox in 2024. The group finished fourth in the American League Central in 2023 and is set to give several young and unproven pitchers opportunity next season. The team has acquired Mike Soroka, Jared Shuster and Erik Fedde this offseason already.
In addition to helping develop the pitching staff, Maldonado will also be leaned on to help develop young catcher Korey Lee, who the team acquired last season at the trade deadline.
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