Sources: Yoan Moncada is generating a lot of interest in the market. The Toronto Blue Jays is one of the teams with real interest right now.
The Blue Jays reportedly have “real interest” in Yoán Moncada
Photo credit: © Peter Aiken - USA Today
Dec 7, 2024, 11:30 ESTUpdated: Dec 7, 2024, 11:11 EST
The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly have interest in a third baseman.
On Friday evening, Francys Romero reported that the Blue Jays had “real interest” in third baseman Yoán Moncada.
Last month, the 29-year-old’s team option worth $25 million was not exercised by the Chicago White Sox, making Moncada a free agent. Moncada was limited to 45 plate appearances last season, as he suffered a leg injury, but slashed .275/.356/.400 with no home runs in 45 plate appearances for a 117 wRC+ when healthy.
In his last full season, 2023, Moncada slashed .260/.305/.425 with 11 home runs in 357 plate appearances, with a 5.6 BB% and a 30 K%. for 98 wRC+ and 1.1 fWAR. His 2022 season was the worst of his career, slashing .212/.273/.353 with 12 home runs in 433 plate appearances with a 76 wRC+ and a 0.8 fWAR.
However, Moncada has been capable of producing great seasons in his career. In 2021, he slashed .263/.375/.412 with 14 home runs in 616 plate appearances for a 120 wRC+ and a 3.7 fWAR. Moncada’s best season was in 2019, where he slashed .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs in 559 plate appearances, with a 7.2 BB% and a 27.5 K%, for a 139 wRC+ and a 5.2 fWAR.
Yoán Moncada gets us on the board with a solo homer!
Defensively, he’s okay at third base. In 2023, he had -6 Defensive Runs Saved and -1 Outs Above Average in 761 innings at the position, but had 2 DRS and a 5 OAA in 859.2 innings the season before.
Unfortunately, he never reached his potential with the White Sox, partly due to injuries, playing on a weak team, and poor play. With that being said, it’s a few years since the Blue Jays had a low-risk, high-reward type signing that really paid off for them. The last time a low-risk, high-reward deal worked out for the Jays was when they signed Robbie Ray and Marcus Semien to one-year “show-me” deals before the 2021 season. Both players had terrific seasons and turned that into big contracts after departing the Blue Jays after the season.,
Moncada likely won’t have another season like he had in 2019, but a cheap one-year deal could benefit the Jays.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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