Yoán Moncada’s free agency has quietly become one of the more intriguing subplots in this offseason’s third base market. Once touted as a franchise cornerstone and centerpiece of a blockbuster trade, he’s now a classic rebound candidate: just 30, still flashing impact tools, but carrying enough injury and performance risk to keep him stuck in the one-year flier conversation.
Yoán Moncada’s Career Arc: From Elite Prospect to Question Mark
Moncada’s story started as one of the game’s most hyped prospects. The Boston Red Sox signed him as a high-profile international talent, then shipped him to the Chicago White Sox in the Chris Sale deal—a trade that really changed both teams’ futures.
The 2019 Breakout and the Big Extension
In 2019, Moncada looked like the superstar scouts had promised. He put up a .315/.367/.548 slash line, a 139 wRC+, and the kind of all-around offensive impact that makes front offices start writing checks.
The White Sox rewarded him with a five-year, $70 million extension, convinced they’d locked in their third baseman of the future.
That season was the peak: quality contact, better plate discipline, and switch-hitting production that forced pitchers to respect him from both sides.
Injuries, Inconsistency, and the Decline in Chicago
After that, things just never lined up. From 2022 through 2024, Moncada hit only .236/.291/.387 with an 88 wRC+, well below league average. He played in fewer than half of the White Sox’s games, with injuries constantly interrupting his rhythm.
Chicago had to make a call. With a hefty $25 million club option for 2025 looming, the White Sox took the $5 million buyout and moved on from someone who once looked like a cornerstone.
A Modest Rebound with the Angels
Moncada’s 2024 with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year, $5 million deal didn’t bring back his star status. Still, you could see flashes that there might be something left in the bat.
Offensive Upside: Power Returns, But Flaws Remain
He logged 289 plate appearances for the Angels and posted a 117 wRC+, a clear jump from his Chicago days. The power came back in a real way:
Those numbers show he can still drive the ball when he’s healthy. But the issues didn’t just vanish. His strikeout rate stayed high at 26%, and he kept struggling badly against left-handed pitching.
That split risk will matter for any club thinking about him as an everyday guy.
Defensive Concerns at Third Base
The defensive metrics were rough. Moncada ranked as the worst regular third baseman in baseball by Outs Above Average, posting minus-13 OAA.
Is that just bad luck and health, or is it a sign of real decline? That’s the big question for teams.
At this point, teams might see him as a bat-first third baseman, a part-time option, or maybe even someone who eventually shifts off the position if his glove doesn’t bounce back.
Market Fit: Which Teams Make Sense for Moncada?
This winter’s third base market is headlined by Alex Bregman, Eugenio Suárez, and Japan’s Kazuma Okamoto. Moncada sits a tier below: a low-cost, one-year upside play for clubs hunting value instead of certainty.
Angels: The Cleanest Fit
The Angels look like the most obvious landing spot. With Anthony Rendon likely retiring and third base wide open, Los Angeles knows Moncada, understands his medicals, and needs offense.
A short-term reunion would give them a switch-hitting bat with pop and almost no long-term risk.
Pirates, White Sox, and Blue Jays: Different Levels of Need
The Pittsburgh Pirates might see Moncada as a fallback if they miss on bigger third base targets. For a budget-minded team, he fits the kind of upside play they often chase.
The White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are trickier fits since they’ve got infield depth. Still, Moncada could work as a situational offensive weapon—a switch-hitter you shield from tough lefties and use selectively to get the most out of his strengths.
Moncada’s Next Chapter
Yoán Moncada’s free agency feels like a real test for how teams weigh upside against risk. At 30, he’s shown flashes of production but also battled injuries.
He probably won’t land a long-term deal. Still, third base is thin, and teams are always hunting for affordable offense.
Moncada’s got power, a strong pedigree, and he plays a position in demand. That’s why the Angels, Pirates, White Sox, and Blue Jays have already checked in—and honestly, I doubt that’ll be the last we hear of him this winter.
Here is the source article for this story: Several Teams Interested In Yoán Moncada
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