Report: Astros, Maldonado agree to 2-year, $7M deal

The Houston Astros have agreed to a two-year deal worth $7 million with catcher Martin Maldonado, reports MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

Maldonado took less money to return to Houston despite having multiple offers, Feinsand adds.

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican backstop finished last season with the Astros after beginning the campaign with the Kansas City Royals and briefly playing for the Chicago Cubs.

Over 105 games in 2019, he batted .213/.293/.378 with 12 home runs, 19 doubles, and 27 RBIs.

Maldonado is a well-regarded defender and game-caller. His eight defensive runs saved ranked sixth in the majors last season among catchers with at least 800 innings played.

The veteran catcher was also frequently behind the plate for Gerrit Cole's starts last year and was even linked to the New York Yankees - Cole's new team - in trade rumors this offseason.