Free-agent infielder Yoán Moncada has agreed to a one-year contract value $5 million with the Los Angeles Angels, reviews the New York Publish. The workforce has not but confirmed the signing.
Moncada, 29, hit free company by advantage of the White Sox declining his $25 million workforce choice for 2025. Given the best way the previous few years have gone, it was a no brainer. Accidents have decimated Moncada the previous few seasons, together with a left adductor pressure in 2024. He managed simply 12 video games final 12 months after 92 in 2023 and 104 in 2022. In these three seasons, he hit .236/.291/.387 (89 OPS+). Strikeouts stay an issue whereas he does not take many walks.
Moncada as soon as was mentioned to have immense upside. He was the centerpiece of the commerce that despatched Chris Sale from the White Sox to the Purple Sox. His 2019 breakout season even acquired him some down-ballot MVP votes (he completed twenty first) when he hit .315 with a 140 OPS+ and 5.2 WAR.
We ranked Moncada because the forty eighth finest free agent obtainable this offseason. Here is the write-up:
Moncada is a tough participant to pin down. He is nonetheless months away from celebrating his thirtieth birthday, however he feels concurrently youthful and older than that. Youthful as a result of he is appeared in just below 70 video games per season over the past three years; older as a result of he already seems to be in decline. Will Moncada ever have one other season as good as his effort in 2021? We’re skeptical, however some groups will understandably line as much as see what his recreation seems to be like in an atmosphere extra conducive to good play than what the White Sox have provided in current years.
There’s nonetheless upside right here, after all. Moncada has proven he can play like an All-Star for a full season and he isn’t even 30 years previous. It was solely 12 video games final 12 months, however he hit .275/.356/.400 with three doubles and a triple. He can deal with third base. Perhaps he can keep wholesome and maybe a change of surroundings will do him some good.
The Angels went 63-99 in 2024. It was their ninth consecutive dropping season. Moncada will present the membership with third base depth behind Anthony Rendon, who has not performed greater than 58 video games in a season since 2019.
