Astros Name Starting Catcher for 2024 Season

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown made it very clear who would be the team's starting catcher for the 2024 MLB season.

Spoiler alert: it's not Martin Maldonado.

The decision to start Maldonado over Yainer Diaz flummoxed fans, the media and potentially even Houston's front office all season. It was a decision that rested solely on the shoulders of the now-retired Dusty Baker. A decision that was so heavily criticized that it apparently drove Baker into retirement.

But that decision will no longer have to be made as Maldonado is no longer with the team (currently) and Brown made it known on KPRC2 that Diaz would be "the main guy" for next season. 

Diaz slashed .282/.308/.538 in 2023, making him one of the best offensive catchers in all of baseball. It's beyond shameful that he appeared in just 104 games with only 60 of those behind the plate.

It is entirely possible that as he focuses more on catching duties, opponent research and learning each pitcher more in-depth, that his offense regresses. But it remains highly unlikely that it would regress to what Maldonado was producing, which was a .191/.258/.348 slashline.

That type of performance from your primary catcher usually won't win you many pennants. 

As the Yainer Diaz era of this dynasty begins to take shape, the only question remains is as to who will be his backup?

It likely won't be Martin Maldonado.

One player to keep in mind - Mitch Garver, the player who just won a World Series with the Texas Rangers and played much of his time at designated hitter while Jonah Heim took the majority of reps behind the plate. 

It seems like a natural fit for a team looking for some offense, veteran leadership and a capable catcher to give Diaz off days.

The only question will be the price tag.