With shortstop Willy Adames likely to leave in free agency, the Milwaukee Brewers are now being connected to former White Sox third baseman Yoán Moncada. The 29-year-old infielder became a free agent last month after the White Sox declined his $25 million option for the 2025 season.
With the Giants extending Matt Chapman, outside of Alex Bregman, Moncada might be the top free-agent third baseman available. Injuries limited the former top prospect to just 12 games in 2024, but he gave Chicago reliable middle-of-the-order production during his eight-year tenure. Moncada’s breakout campaign came in 2019, where he hit .315/.367/.548 with a 139 wRC+, 5.2 fWAR, and 25 homers in 132 games. His performance earned him a five-year, $70 million extension, but he has struggled to continue that same, breakout success.
Not uncommon for many of the “core” White Sox players, Moncada has battled multiple injuries over the past two seasons. After slashing .263/.375/.412 in 2021, Moncada missed 58 games with leg, foot, and oblique injuries the following season. A recurring back injury limited him to 92 games in 2023. However, he still hit .260/.305/.425 with 11 homer runs and 40 RBI. Even after he returned to full health in September, interim manager Grady Sizemore gave younger players priority at third base. Despite playing his fewest games since his 2016 MLB debut, Moncada slashed .275/.356/.400 in his limited opportunities.
Several Teams Eyeing Former White Sox Third Baseman
Earlier this month, MLB insider Francys Romero reported that “more than five teams” are considering Moncada this offseason. According to Romero, the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Mariners are among the teams currently monitoring the Cuban-born infielder. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com named the Brewers as a team that could also be a good fit for Moncada.
“Assuming that Willy Adames departs as a free agent, Joey Ortiz is likely to move to shortstop, creating a vacancy at third base,” Feinsand wrote.
Primarily a third baseman, Moncada has made 203 appearances at second base during his nine-year career in the majors. The success that Moncada has shown when healthy, especially on defense, should lead to continued interest throughout the offseason. Spotrac calculates Moncada’s market value at $1.5 million on a one-year contract.
Main Photo: © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
