The Houston Astros could make some changes in the offseason this year and their veteran catcher might be one on the way out.
The Houston Astros will have to do something they didn't have to last offseason.
They'll need to figure out how to ensure their roster is good enough to get back to the World Series after coming up a game short in the ALCS.
The Astros have been a postseason staple for the past seven years and there's very little indicating that won't be the case in 2024.
Still, as all teams do, the front office will make some changes during the offseason prior to next year.
One of those changes could be moving off their star catcher Martin Maldonado.
The 37-year-old has spent the last four seasons with Houston after previously being traded to the team in 2018 by the Los Angeles Angels.
The Chicago Cubs traded him back to the Astros in 2019 where he solidified himself as the top catching option.
Maldonado established himself as an elite defensive catcher, game-caller and pristine handler of the pitching staff.
These positives behind the plate largely masked his poor offensive production. The COVID-shortened season was the only year that he had over a .200 batting average.
Houston could be ready to move to Yainer Diaz in the full-time role for 2024.
While he doesn't have the same defensive upside, he brought a much more potent batting threat to the lineup, hitting .282/.308/.538 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI across 104 games in his rookie year.
Maldonado is set to hit free agency this offseason, so moving off the veteran would be an easy financial move.
If the front office still thinks that he provides value to the team, they could bring him back on a relatively cheap contract.
However, during the season, there were members of the front office who were frustrated with Diaz's lack of use.
It seems like that they are willing to turn the catcher position over to Diaz heading into next year.