Los Angeles Angels agree to $5 million contract with former Chicago White Sox slugger

MLB Rumors: Los Angeles Angels agree to $5 million contract with former Chicago White Sox slugger

After a physical, the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with third baseman Yoán Moncada, adding a veteran presence to their infield. After a career marred by injuries with the Chicago White Sox, Moncada now has a new beginning thanks to the deal, which was first reported by Jon Heyman of The New York Post.

Previously one of baseball's best prospects, Moncada, who turns 30 in May, had early career glimpses of fame. He hit.315 with 25 home runs in 2019, his greatest season, which earned him a $70 million contract deal with the White Sox. But in recent years, he has struggled with injuries and uneven play. He has only played in 208 games over the past three seasons, slashing just.236/.291/.387.

Moncada's $25 million club option was turned down by the White Sox following a terrible 2024 campaign in which he only appeared in 12 games because of a severe left adductor strain. After making a brief comeback in September, he was shut out for the remainder of the season after just taking one at-bat.

With the Angels, Yoan Moncada looks for security and a change of scenery.

Moncada now plays third base for an Angels squad that is searching for stability. Los Angeles needed a backup at the hot corner since Anthony Rendon has been battling to remain on the field, appearing in less than one-third of the team's games over the last four seasons.

The Angels are hopeful that a change of environment and manager Ron Washington's guidance will help Moncada restore his form, despite his recent performance raising concerns.

Angels' Yoán Moncada. $5 million. Under Ron Washington, that would be a good place for Moncada," Heyman wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

After signing pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and outfielder Jorge Soler early in the summer, the Angels had not made a major acquisition in months. An infield that already has Zach Neto at shortstop and Luis Rengifo at second base gains depth with Moncada's signing. 

But after offseason shoulder surgery, Neto's availability for Opening Day is still questionable, so Tim Anderson, Moncada's old White Sox colleague who recently inked a minor league contract with the Angels, may also be taken into consideration.

The Cubs, Mariners, and Blue Jays had expressed interest in Moncada throughout the offseason. He reportedly turned down a one-year, $3 million contract from Chicago in favor of the Angels' bigger offer.

Moncada has demonstrated the ability to be a good hitter when healthy, as seen by his career slash line of.254/.331/.424. The Angels are placing a wager that a new opportunity and a less demanding atmosphere will enable him to recover in 2025. Moncada might provide the Angels' offense a much-needed boost if he can stay on the field and regain some of his prior success.