“You know how bad you have to be to be DFA by the White Sox?” - MLB fans react as Martin Maldonado gets designated for assignment
The Chicago White Sox are looking to cut their losses at the MLB cellar dwellers sent Martin Maldonado for assignment on Wednesday during the All-Star break. The former Astros catcher was signed to a one-year, $4.25 million in the offseason.
Maldonado has been poor throughout at the plate since making the switch as the former World Series winner has managed just four home runs this season.
The White Sox are currently the worst team in the MLB with a 27-71 record. Being designated for assignment by the worst team caught the attention of fans who mocked Maldonado after reports of the assignment surfaced online.
"You know how bad you have to be to be DFA by the White Sox?" wrote on fan on X.
"From greatest catcher ever to grace the diamond, to being DFA’d…. Ouch," another fan wrote.
"Time to retire and bro finessed the sox," another fan wrote.
Comments continued to flow as some fans blamed Maldonado for his poor batting performance.
"He really can’t hit," added one fan.
"Imagine getting DFA by poverty," another fan responded.
"Finally. Do Beni next," another fan chipped in.
Martin Maldonado's batting stats decline drastically
Martin Maldonado's White Sox stint just never got going. With close to four months remaining, Maldonado will need to prove his worth soon. Maldonado is one of those reputed catchers, well-known for his ability to work with pitchers.
On the other hand, he has also disappointed from the plate. There has been a drastic decline in his performance this season. Maldonado has a poor batting clip of .119 with a .174 OBP and a .404 OPS.
The catcher hit only four runs this season and contributed 11 RBIs in 135 appearances at the plate. Due to his poor performance, the White Sox were forced to keep Maldonado away.
Maldonado's assignment could mean the White Sox are looking to move on from the veteran catcher with the 2024 Trade Deadline fast approaching.