Brewers avoid arbitration with backup catcher Maldonado

Published Jan. 15, 2015 6:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Milwaukee Brewers have avoided arbitration with Martin Maldonado by signing the catcher to a two-year contract.

According to MLB.com, Maldonado will earn $800,000 in 2015 and $1.1 million in 2016. The deal also includes a $50,000 signing bonus.

Entering his fourth full season as Jonathan Lucroy's backup catcher, Maldonado hit .234 with four home runs and 16 RBI. The defensive stalwart has thrown out 31.2 percent of attempted base stealers in 161 career games behind the plate.

Maldonado signed with the Brewers as minor-league free agent in 2007. The 28-year-old made his big-league debut in 2011.

With Lucroy injured, Maldonado was called up in May of 2012 and filled in adequately, hitting .266 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 78 games. His batting average slipped to .169 with sparse playing time in 2013, but his value comes from his defensive ability.

After signing Maldonado, outfielder Gerardo Parra remains Milwaukee's lone arbitration-eligible player.

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