Yankees ace Gerrit Cole had current Chicago backstop Martin Maldonado as his personal catcher while both were playing for the Houston Astros. According to recent reports, the White Sox are going to designate the 37-year-old catcher for assignment. This development has sparked speculation about a potential reunion between Maldonado and the New York Yankees’ rotation leader.
Maldonado’s history as Cole’s personal catcher in Houston is noteworthy. The Yankees ace has previously praised the backstop’s communication skills and game-calling abilities, citing impressive statistics when working together (2.47 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings).
In a 2019 interview with The New York Post, Cole praised Maldonado’s communication skills and ability to control the running game, which he noted was appreciated by the manager. He emphasized the enjoyable working relationship he had with Maldonado, highlighting their honest and open communication style.
Cole described their interactions as candid, mentioning that they could freely criticize each other’s decisions without taking offense. He appreciated the balance of seriousness and lightheartedness in their conversations, finding it a valuable aspect of their partnership.
Furthermore, Cole expressed gratitude for the dedication of the catching staff, referring to them as “workhorses” and acknowledging their significant contribution to the pitching team’s success.
“Back to the communication, like we’re — and this is not to exclude [the other catchers], I think, obviously, he protects the running game quite well, which is why he’s the manager’s preference,” Cole then said. “He’s so fun to work with, the communication that we have. We’re very honest with each other. He’ll come in and tell me that, you know, ‘You’re full of it, that was a stupid pitch.’ And I’ll come in and tell him, ‘You’re full of it, that was a stupid call.’ To be able to have that conversation and be serious but have, like, some lightheartedness to it and know that it’s not personal, that’s pretty cool,” Cole said. “As a pitching staff, we’re pretty blessed to have catchers that pour into us. Those two workhorses behind the dish are pretty special.”
Maldonado won a World Series ring in 2022 with the Houston Astros.
Will the Yankees facilitate a reunion?
Despite Maldonado’s weak offensive performance this season (.119 average, .403 OPS in 147 plate appearances) and his career-long struggles at the plate (70 OPS+ career), there are several factors that could make him an intriguing option for the Yankees.
The recent injury to Yankees catcher Jose Trevino and the promotion of rookie Carlos Narvaez have created a need for a veteran presence behind the plate. Maldonado’s experience and reputation as a positive clubhouse influence could be valuable, albeit potentially short-term.
The Yankees have shown interest in Maldonado before, reportedly considering him in December 2019.
However, Maldonado’s declining defensive skills and substantial contract ($4 million this season with a $4 million club option for 2025) complicate matters. MLB Trade Rumors suggests that a release is likely, which could make Maldonado more financially attractive to potential suitors.
While the connection between Cole and Maldonado is intriguing, the Yankees would need to carefully weigh the potential benefits against Maldonado’s current performance levels and the team’s long-term catching plans.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
I think Narvaez will get a couple of games before deciding if he stays or goes back to Triple-A. Now, if Wells basically catches every game except one of the night then day games, it may not matter if it’s Narvaez or someone else alongside Wells.