The Kansas City Royals took a huge blow during Spring Training when their perennial Gold Glove catcher, Salvador Perez was lost for the season with a tear of the UCL. Perez required Tommy John surgery and suddenly the team was searching for answers for a new backstop. They signed Martin Maldonado who had previously spent time with the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Maldonado was traded to the Chicago Cubs in mid-July in exchange for Mike Montgomery. At the time, it made perfect sense. The Cubs needed a backup catcher while Willson Contreras was nursing a foot injury and the Royals needed another starter in a lousy rotation.