HOUSTON – The Stars are finalizing a one-year contract extension with Puerto Rican receiver Martin Maldonado, a deal that would keep him in Houston until the end of 2022, with an option for 2023, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB. like Tuesday.
After acquiring Maldonado in a mid-season change for two consecutive years, the Stars agreed to the veteran mask for two seasons before 2020. Last season, he was a starter in 46 of the 60 games and was in all of them, with the exception of one of the postseason games. He started slow in 2021, going 32-3 with 15 strikeouts before Tuesday’s game, but is one of the club’s leaders and a solid defender.
The pact, once finalized, would mean the Stars will have Maldonado’s duo again and Jason Castro at the reception for 2022. Castro signed for two seasons in January. Maldonado and Castro make up one of two pairs of active receivers who have at least 400 games started in their careers (Alex Ávila and Yan Gomes of the Nationals are the other).