White Sox DFA, former World Series winner Houston Astros

Catcher Martin Maldonado’s short tenure with the Chicago White Sox is over.

According to multiple reports, the White Sox designated Maldonado for assignment on Wednesday, a move that could pave the way for the former Houston Astros starter to hit the open market.

With the DFA, the White Sox must place him on the waivers list. In seven days, he must either be released from waivers, claimed by a team, or traded by the White Sox. If no one wants him, he can either accept an assignment to a White Sox minor league affiliate or choose to become a free agent.

Another former Astro linked to one of their World Series titles, pitcher Dallas Keuchel, is now a free agent after being DFA’d by the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, being released off waivers and opting to test the market.

His DFA may have been partly motivated by money. The White Sox offered him a $4.25 million guarantee, with a $4 million salary, that included a $250,000 buyout option and a $4 million vesting option for 2025 held by the team.

The vesting option would have been triggered after 90 games. Maldonado had played just 48 games before the All-Star break.

He had a terrible season at the plate, batting .119/.174/.230/.403 with four home runs and 11 RBIs. Unless Maldonado is re-signed and gets major league playing time, this will be the fourth straight season he has hit under .200.

The Astros parted ways with Maldonado after last season, deciding to sign then-rookie Yainer Diaz at catcher, who was a better hitter. Maldonado was highly regarded by former Astros manager Dusty Baker for his defense, and Baker’s reliance on Maldonado last season became a sore point for Astros fans.

Maldonado is a 13-year veteran who has been with the Astros since 2019. He helped the Astros win the 2022 World Series and has managed teams that included Cy Young winner Justin Verlander and left-hander Framber Valdez, who threw the first no-hitter of his career last August with Maldonado behind the plate.

His offense has been a problem since his major league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011. He has a .203 lifetime batting average but has still packed a punch with 115 home runs. He has played with the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs.

Despite his talent, Maldonado reportedly drew interest from four or five teams during the offseason before signing with the White Sox.