The Padres addressed a pressing need in their catching department by signing veteran backstop Martín Maldonado to a minor-league contract on Thursday. According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the deal includes a non-roster invitation to Spring Training, where Maldonado will compete for a spot on the roster.
Maldonado is coming off a tough 2024 season in which he posted a .119/.174/.230 slash line, with four home runs and a career-low 11 RBIs. At 38, his value doesn’t lie in his offensive abilities but rather in his defensive skills. Since 2018, Maldonado ranks eighth among MLB catchers in Caught Stealings Above Average (13) and 16th in Blocks Above Average (25), as per Baseball Savant.
With Luis Campusano’s ongoing struggles, the Padres face questions about how they’ll structure their catching tandem for the upcoming season. Beyond Campusano, Brett Sullivan, and now Maldonado, the Padres’ internal options for MLB-ready catchers are limited. Top prospect Ethan Salas is viewed as the team’s long-term answer at catcher, but at just 18 years old, he likely won’t debut until 2026.
This signing marks the seventh Major League team for Maldonado. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for both sides. If Maldonado can improve at the plate while maintaining his defensive prowess, he could provide valuable depth. However, the Padres may still explore additional catching options before or during Spring Training.
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