Yoán Moncada is continuing to draw interest with Spring Training just over a month away.
MLB insider Francys Romero says that several teams enter the new year with continued interest in the free agent third baseman. Per Romero’s post, the known clubs in the mix for Moncada include the Cubs, Mariners, and Blue Jays with a few others still believed to be involved.
Moncada, 29, recently became a free agent after the White Sox declined his $25 million option for the 2025 campaign, ending his polarizing tenure on the South Side. In eight seasons, the former top prospect slashed .254/.332/.425 with a 107 wRC+ and 14.0 fWAR. Moncada’s best stretch came in 2019, where he hit .315/.367/.548 with a 139 wRC+, 5.2 fWAR, and 25 homers in 132 games. It helped earn him a five-year, $70M contract extension that offseason, though he would never reach those heights again.
Like many of the White Sox “core” pieces, Moncada has struggled with injuries as of late and appeared in just 12 games in 2024. Even after he returned to full health in September, interim manager Grady Sizemore made it known that younger players who factored into the team’s long-term plans would be given priority at third base. It was a disappointing end to a clear story of “what if” with Moncada, even though he was an above-average hitter and defender at full health.
Despite the recent negatives, Moncada’s market is believed to include “more than five teams,” according to a previous report from Romero. It’s also heavily impacted by Bregman, as several teams interested in the former Houston third baseman could pivot to Moncada if they miss out.
The Blue Jays are one of the teams who have been in on Bregman as they are still trying to land a marquee free agent. If they can do so while finding a way to replicate Matt Chapman’s production in their lineup, it would be considered a huge get. Ernie Clement served as Chapman’s primary replacement in 2024, slashing .263/.284/.408 with a 94 wRC+ in 139 games. With Bregman opting to move north of the border nowhere near a guarantee, the Jays will need a backup plan if they’d like to upgrade before Opening Day.
In a similar spot, the Mariners attempted to replace Eugenio Suarez with a few different utility infielders like Josh Rojas, who has since signed with the Sox, and Dylan Moore in 2024. The two players brought underwhelming results, and while the team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of using a similar tandem again in 2025, they continue to be linked to names outside the organization. The Mariners could certainly opt for Moncada as a cost-effective option with a high upside, allowing him to take away playing time from other platoon players if he can remain healthy.
The Cubs are in a unique situation since it seemed they had their third baseman in Isaac Paredes, who was acquired from the Rays at the Trade Deadline last season. However, he was sent to Houston as part of the Kyle Tucker trade to leave the team with a hole. The North Side’s general manager Carter Hawkins has said the team will look at the free agent market while also looking internally for possible solutions.
The Yankees are in a bit of a different situation from the others, though they’re expected to be looking for one more infielder and depth pieces after falling to the Dodgers in the World Series. That said, New York has already signed left-handed starter Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12.5 million, and are on the hook for $47.5 million of Cody Bellinger’s contract. Though it has its risks, Moncada would allow them to comfortably use whatever is left in the bank while filling a need.
The success that Moncada has shown when healthy, especially by way of his defense, should lead to a deal once the dominos fall after Bregman makes his decision. We’ll monitor the situation and provide further updates as more information becomes available.
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