BROCK AND SALK

Why Mariners’ reported interest in defensively-skilled C Martín Maldonado is good news

Feb 20, 2019, 2:22 PM | Updated: 2:37 pm

Could the Mariners add veteran catcher Martín Maldonado? (AP)...

Could the Mariners add veteran catcher Martín Maldonado? (AP)

(AP)

The Mariners made a change at catcher this offseason, trading Mike Zunino to Tampa Bay and acquiring Omar Narváez from the White Sox. But while the switch to Narváez gives the Mariners a more consistent hitter at the backstop position, they have admitted they took a step back defensively at the position with the departure of Zunino.

Drayer: How M’s 3B Kyle Seager’s transformation is built to help him

So… enter Martín Maldonado?

The Mariners are reportedly interested in the 32-year-old Maldonado, who has never been known for his bat (career .220 average, .639 OPS) but most certainly is well regarded for what he has done behind the plate in eight MLB seasons with the Brewers, Angels and Astros.

For Brock Huard and Mike Salk, bringing Maldonado on board to split time with Narváez sounds like a no-brainer.

“You know what the Mariners should do? The Mariners should sign Martín Maldonado,” Salk quipped when the Maldonado rumor was brought up during Brock and Salk’s Good News, Bad News, No News segment Wednesday. “Go get this done. He’s exactly what they need.”

Huard explained precisely why signing Maldonado would make sense for the Mariners and the younger members of their pitching staff.

“He’s a tremendous catcher with a bazooka of an arm,” Huard said. “And we saw the numbers last year, when Zunino, who is a more than capable catcher and a guy that really connected with that staff, was behind the dish they were a better rotation, a better staff.

“You’ve got (Yusei Kikuchi) that’s come over, you’ve got Marco (Gonzales), Justus (Sheffield) eventually… Some of your young guys I think would be better off having a veteran behind the plate who can throw people out, who can defend, who can call a game, and who can continue to grow and develop (the Mariners’ pitchers).”

To hear the full conversation, listen to the final segment of this podcast from Wednesday’s edition of Brock and Salk.

Notebook: Marco up first as Mariners set up initial spring training rotation

Brock and Salk podcast

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Mostly Sunny
High 56° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 6:40pm

Brock and Salk

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

18 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Nelson Cruz reflects on his time with the Seattle Mariners on Brock & Salk

‘The Boomstick’ Nelson Cruz joined the Brock & Salk Show on Seattle Sports before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners 2024 season opener at T-Mobile Park. Cruz discussed his time with the Mariners, what retirement is like, and whether or not he would bring out the boomstick one more time before […]

21 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

2 days ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

2 days ago

Why Mariners’ reported interest in defensively-skilled C Martín Maldonado is good news