Yoan Moncada’s eight-season run with the White Sox ended when Chicago bought out its club option on the infielder’s contract in October, sending Moncada into free agency. Though Moncada’s last three seasons have been defined by injuries, reporter Francys Romero (via X) writes that “Moncada is generating a lot of interest in the market,” and that the Blue Jays are ones of the clubs interested in the 29-year-old’s services.
Only three teams in baseball got more from the hot corner than the cumulative 4.0 bWAR posted by Toronto third basemen in 2024, with a lot of that production on both sides of the ball coming from Isiah Kiner-Falefa before the Jays dealt him at the trade deadline. Ernie Clement also got a lot of playing time at third base and was very solid with the glove, though he hit only .263/.284/.408 over 452 plate appearances. Heading into 2025, the Blue Jays have Clement and more inexperienced options like Addison Barger, Orelvis Martinez, Leo Jimenez, all capable of playing third base, even if Clement is the best defensive player of the group.
It therefore isn’t surprising that the Blue Jays have been linked to such big-name infielders as Alex Bregman, Willy Adames, and Ha-Seong Kim as Toronto tries to figure out how to address either third or second base. Moncada is a much lower-profile type of free agent than that trio, though since the Jays have been broadly in on many players this winter, it isn’t surprising that the club is exploring all levels of the market. The Juan Soto pursuit has naturally dominated the Jays’ focus to date this winter, and a player like Moncada could be on the radar whether or not Soto is suddenly taking up an outsized chunk of Toronto’s payroll.
In a sense, signing Moncada as a veteran counterpoint to the younger in-house options has some similarity to the Jays’ signing of Kiner-Falefa last winter. Whereas at least IKF brought defensive versatility to the table, Moncada is much more of a question mark, and not necessarily a clear upgrade over what Toronto already has on the third base depth chart.
Once regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects, Moncada’s blue-chip status made him the centerpiece of the four-player trade package the White Sox received from the Red Sox for Chris Sale back in December 2016. A seeming breakout year in 2019 inspired the White Sox to ink Moncada to a five-year, $70MM extension prior to the 2020 season, and a solid 2021 campaign on Chicago’s AL Central-winning team looked to cement Moncada’s place as a building block on the South Side.
However, that’s when the injury bug again impacted Moncada’s career. The infielder has played in only 208 of a possible 486 games since Opening Day 2022, as Moncada has been sidelined by back problems, an oblique strain, injuries to both hamstrings, and an adductor strain that cost him the majority of the 2024 season. Moncada missed over five months of action last year and played in only 12 games. Just one of those appearances came after his activation from the 60-day injured list on September 16, as the White Sox opted to give playing time to younger players instead of a player they were already planning to cut ties with after the season.
It isn’t surprising that Moncada’s production nosedived in the wake of all these injuries, as he has hit only .236/.291/.387 in 835 PA over the last three seasons. He played for Cuba during the Premier12 tournament in November to get some extra playing time in the wake of his lost 2024 season, though he hit just .143 over 14 at-bats.
Despite of the lack of recent results, it makes sense why the Blue Jays and other clubs could view Moncada as an interesting rebound candidate. Simply staying healthy might help Moncada get on track, and could a change of scenery from a troubled White Sox organization that hit rock bottom with a 121-loss season in 2024. As a relatively low-cost flier, Moncada has appeal to any team looking for part-time help at third base, or potentially at second given that Moncada played that position earlier in his career.
I hate Atkins and Shapiro so much.
I don’t have enough corporate vocabulary to tell you how good they’re at their jobs
The Jays are in on everybody. And yet….
They are out because the word gets around that this manage sucks so no one will sign here . Get ready for another last place season
I like Atkins and Shapiro equally as much as I Like Trudeau.
Exactly who isn’t the Blue Jays interested in?…..maybe its better too advise who they aren’t interested in…LMAO
Jordan romanos elbow, no wait they’re still interested in the small part that appears to be hanging on
You’re right Blue Jays interested in everyone but never sign anybody , just like the two guys that sign today one with San Fran and the other one with Baltimore . But listen what do the Blue Jays have to offer players to attract them here , other than Vlad and Bo what other talent is there on this team for future chances to win a Worldseries .
Why is it the Blue Jays are always “linked” or interested in everyone but never seem to sign anyone ?
So us Giants fans don’t get lonely ?
Some teams talk to their beat reporters regularly, some don’t. The Jays apparently do. Doesn’t mean a thing.
It’s cause Roger’s has about 8 hrs a day in national coverage they have to fill. When that happens everything like this brought up and connections happen that most teams have internally but never publicly spoken.
There is too much stench from the White Sox clubhouse on him. His lack of urgency, and drive is not something I would want being added to a team that did not live up to expectations last year.
Kopech shined with the Dodgers when he got traded, Cease faired well in SD. Jake Burger was good with the Marlins. Sox players have faired well. Abreu hasn’t been great with Houston but to cut bait on him is a mistake. He could have a good season left in him.
stymeedone: You obviously haven’t watch Moncada play. Yes, he’s a quiet guy. That’s his personality, so you can’t blame him for that. But on the field, he’s a superb fielder at 3B and there’s a dearth of those in the game today. But I will admit that every time his hitting starts to come around, he gets injured. Hopefully, with another team with a trainer that knows what they’re doing, he’ll stay healthy. Oh, and as far as the clubhouse, the cancer that is tony larussa is gone, at least from every day contact with the players. Time to put that old myth to rest.
This. Wish Yo well, as would many White Sox fans, who understood his quiet demeanor didn’t reflect the preparation he put in to the game, his refined plate discipline, and his steady presence at the hot corner. While his frequent absences due to injuries didn’t justify his $25 option, he will be missed.
Being quiet and being lazy are 2 different things
Christian walker is quiet, doesn’t hurt anything, Rafael devers is lazy, makes people angry
Also why is larussa hated so much? He wasn’t that good in Chicago but still won so much, it’s kind of like the Tom Brady hate
The White Sox coaching staff is to blame for Moncada’s questionable baserunning blunders. Too many bad habits around a toxic clubhouse ruined guys like him.
Because he was a sleepy drunk and ruined the clubhouse vibe of a team on the rise. They were a division winner in 21 in spite of him as he made several inexplicable heaf scratching decisions then left the clubhouse in shambles. Talk about a cooler. Give Tony props for being an animal lover tho. He’s more Casey Stengel than Brady.
What? Moncada is a lazy player and always hurt? Especially when he’s not hitting. Why would anyone want him.
The Classic Latins are lazy. I get ya
I never commented on his being quiet. I just know between Robert, Eloy, TA and Moncada, they sure took their time getting over injuries, and basic fundamentals of the game seemed elusive. Tony has been gone a few years, yet that group never jelled or improved. He may have been a problem, but he was not the only problem. 3 of those 4 players are now gone with nothing to show for them. Robert will need a rebound to have value. It’s not a myth when a team gives up on them, and no other team is interested in taking on the player for little or no cost. At least Baltimore gave some marginal trade for Eloy, but its not like being out of Chicago revived him.
he’s the most fragile player in the mlb.
Dumpster – LOL – please retire your pass as a commentator. You have now lost all credibility. Don’t EVER criticize a Cub move again.
Moncada is a joke that should forever belong as a Chisox.
Sale for Moncada and Kopech. Eerrr make that, Sale for Moncada and who again did the Dodgers give yo? Bahahaha.
Yet the White Sox plan to keep many holdover coaches, even with a new manager. Not surprising because Reinsdork hates paying on contracts that haven’t expired.
Moncada had a couple flashes in Chicago where he looked like a legitimate all star but couldn’t stay on the field. He was moved from second to third, I forget why exactly, he was the best option for the Sox at second base. It worked out, he turned into a pretty good glove at third.
Moncada makes a lot of sense for the Astros, would have been great to see them sign Moncada to play 3B with Jose Abreu at 1B. Save them a bundle in comparison to Bregman and if Moncada can stay healthy, he is capable of being an adequate replacement in both his power numbers and his BA/OBP.
He very well may be capable, but after this long a layoff and slump, I wouldn’t bet on it. I’d offer a spring invite, but not a ML roster spot. I would be worried that he would be injured in ST, keeping him on the roster when the season starts, guaranteeing his pay. Any contract would be based on games played. As long as there is no major commitment of any kind, he’s an option of last resort.
stymeedone: I agree that, with a player that’s been injured so much, his contract should be based on games played. You have to wonder why Moncada, Eloy and Robert are injured so much. Again, on a team with a better training staff, they might stay on the field longer.
Unfortunately Stymee, you can’t have an MLB contract based on games played or other usage metrics. You have to have an agreed upon salary for the season. After doing so, you can have additional incentives based on # of ABs, PAs, IP, etc..but these incentives can’t be used as base pay; the union would never allow it.
You can offer a low or minimum amount with the rest based on PAs. I would also not give that ML contract until and unless he makes the team.
Trying to blame it on the training staff is rich. Some players just take their time. I wouldn’t blame Rendon being unavailable on the Angels training staff. Some players just milk it, and when others see it, it can become contagious.
It only that Moncada was moved to 3B because he played 2B terribly but Abreu is no longer in MBL!
Yeah this is not gonna work out but at least he’ll be cheap. Moncada is just breaking down physically, and it’s very unlikely that will stop anytime soon. So sure, sign him for some very low number and see how long you can keep him healthy, but don’t expect much.
You are correct, the injuries have taken a toll on his production and difficult to discount that fact. He may never be the player he was in ’19, but worth a look for sure.
Hawkeroo and the stone pony, waayyy overhyped him continuously.
Hawk and Stone were great. HOF’ers.
Go big or stay in house…..last year KK, IKF, Turner = $30m……in house options Varsho, Clement, Horowitz = same or better productions. Rather go sign a star like Burnes/Fried that moves the needle.
Yawn Moncada of 2024 is only good at collecting his paycheck.
Like many White Sox prospects, he learned so many bad habits in his early years. He could be redeemable in the right situation, like Kopech.
That is best summation of guys like Moncada and Eloy Jimenez. With a better coaching staff, Yoan can be a good baseball player.
If Farmer can get guaranteed money maybe Yoan can too?
If his body hasn’t prematurely aged or broken down due to injuries –
you might be able to get a coach, former teammate etc. to motivate him (stick/carrot incentives – a little of both) appeal to his pride “I’ll show them!” etc.) there is the potential for low downside and a big upside.
Gotta get his physical and mental focus on a productive plane.
Gotta put in the work.
90% of this game is half mental Eh Yogi? 🙂
Moncada’s fallen so far, he has to prove he can play again.
Minor league deal with spring training invite, welcome aboard
The Blue jays appear to be interested in 57 year old JJ Everyman as a back up bench warmer. When asked JJ said he would look forward to contributing to the team in any way he could. From the Blue Jays side management is not quoted as saying “We like what JJ brings to the table. He fogs a mirror with the best of them”
Plus his behind warms two bench spots but he only takes one spot on the roster
And just one spot on the disabled list. There’s that.
Maybe there is still hope for the Tigers to trade Baez!
Desperation.
Could be a cheap addition for Yankees if Durbin is not ready
Like to see him go home to Red Sox. bat him second in front of soto* and Devers
Moncada is perhaps the only former White Sox I’d root against. The guy was such a let down & didn’t seem to want to maintain being a pro athlete.
Must be difficult to work hard when an easy $30M is planted on an unproven 24yo young man,, can you imagine? Same goes for Robert at a younger age. A series of serious miscalculations by Hahn & Williams.
What do you mean, at a younger age? Robert milks the IL, and while he can go get the ball with the best of them, if its not in his range, he’s happy to just watch from where he is. If a ball gets by the LF or RF, the batter gets to run because someone doesn’t like backing up the play.
Robert was the last Cuban to get a huge bonus to sign, something like $45M as a 20yo. He’s earned more since. Robert plays with the same lethargy and interest as Moncada. It would be nice were they to rid themselves of both in the same season.
Seems like what Seattle is looking for. Cheap and looking for a bounce back. Offer him a few mill with incentives and an option for next season. Since it seems we are dumpster diving might as well get one with some upside.
Cuidado.
Yoan Moncada is Spanish for “on the disabled list.”
The TIGERS should take a chance in this guy…
Spring training invite maybe if they don’t sign a 3B.
“Blue Jays interesting everyone”
This would be such a Jays move too. If only Farhan were still running the Giants, he might have beat them to it
the blue jays duo of Shapiro and Atkins are there so the other FOs don’t look so bad in comparison. seriously the worst duo of idiots in any FO in the game today.
There is someone who know what they are talking about , these two have ruined this organization and the minor league system beyond repair . They try to sell this franchise by all the changes they have made to the stadium , but the only problem is all these people that continue to support them by wasting there money at the ball games , for them to put a crappy team on the field . The only thing I hope for is for Vlad and Bo just to walk away at the end of this year then maybe Rogers will final act on these two twits . How do they expect guys like Ohtani and Soto to sign here when they do not even lock up their talented players to long term contracts to show they are committed to winning in the future.
As a Jays fan, all I can say is OH HELL NO!
Blue jays are interested in everyone. They seem less interested in keeping the insanely talented Vladdy and Bo they have. If you do t keep what you have moving forward? Who wants to work there? That’s what is happening to the Red Sox. They let everyone of note walk and now to “rebrand” they need to go golden balls deep in Soto to be their savior? Mookie? Xander? Kike? Not franchisey enough? You can’t brand yourself with a bunch of who? And expect great RoR even with a ring.