Breaking News: Boston Red Sox Targeting Gold Glove Catcher! The Latest Rumors Will Leave Fans Excited!

The Red Sox are focused on bolstering their pitching but seem to be eyeing the catching scene as well. There’s buzz about Boston’s interest in free agent catcher Martín Maldonado, per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.

Rome notes that the Padres, Marlins, and White Sox also have their sights set on Maldonado, a seasoned 37-year-old catcher who secured an AL Gold Glove in 2017. Sources suggest the Red Sox are planning to engage with Maldonado’s representatives, with a handful of teams reportedly vying for his services. His departure from the Astros is likely after Houston’s recent signing of Victor Caratini as the backup catcher for young talent Yainer Diaz in 2024.

Maldonado, cherished by Astros pitchers for his defensive prowess and strategic game-calling, has made quite an impact during his six-year stint in Houston. Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who previously worked with Maldonado in 2017 and praised his game-changing abilities, could be a driving force behind Boston’s pursuit of the veteran catcher.

ESPN’s Buster Olney also chipped in on Boston’s interest in Maldonado, emphasizing the team’s pitching focus while acknowledging their intrigue in the seasoned catcher’s abilities.

While Maldonado shines in game strategy and defense, his batting stats typically fall below average. In the previous season with the Astros, he recorded a .191 batting average, .258 on-base percentage, .348 slugging percentage, and a .606 OPS, displaying 15 homers and 36 RBIs in 116 games.

The Red Sox currently have Connor Wong and Reese McGuire as their catchers on the 40-man roster. Kyle Teel, drafted in June, is showing promise in the minors, ranked as the team’s No. 4 prospect by Baseball America.

Despite tendering McGuire, projected to earn $1.7 million in 2024, and having Wong as the primary catcher in most games, the Red Sox are exploring options in the free agency market for catchers. This move indicates a potential openness to enhance their catching situation, although the team’s officials have expressed contentment with their current standing and are seeking significant upgrades rather than incremental improvements.