In a bizarre offseason twist, the White Sox could be exploring a reunion with one of their former top prospects.
According to MLB insider Francys Romero, the South Siders are among four teams that have shown interest in free-agent third baseman Yoan Moncada. The Angels, Pirates, and Blue Jays are also said to be in the early mix.
Moncada, 30, is coming off a 2025 season in which he appeared in just 84 games due to right thumb and knee injuries. When healthy, he slashed .234/.336/.448 with the Angels, hitting 12 home runs while posting a 117 wRC+ and 0.7 fWAR. However, that above-average offensive production did not carry over defensively, as his -13 Outs Above Average ranked last among all third basemen with at least 300 defensive innings.
Once the top prospect in all of baseball, Moncada was expected to be a cornerstone of the White Sox’s previous rebuild. Instead, his polarizing tenure in Chicago came to an end last offseason when the club declined his $25 million option for 2025.
Over eight seasons at 35th and Shields, Moncada slashed .254/.332/.425 with a 107 wRC+ and 14.0 fWAR. His best stretch came in 2019, when he hit .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs, a 139 wRC+, and 5.2 fWAR across 132 games. That breakout earned him a five-year, $70 million extension, though he was never able to replicate that level of production again.
Like many of the former White Sox “core” players, Moncada struggled with his health. He appeared in a mere 12 games during his final season with the team. Even after returning to full health in September, interim manager Grady Sizemore prioritized younger players aligned with the club’s long-term plans at third base. It was a disappointing end to a clear story of “what if” with Moncada, even though he performed as an above-average hitter and defender at full health.
Looking ahead to 2026, a reunion seems to make little sense for either side. The White Sox recently signed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami to play first base, leaving Miguel Vargas as the primary option across the diamond at third. The rest of the infield also appears largely set, with Chase Meidroth likely seeing time at second base, Colson Montgomery at shortstop, and Lenyn Sosa entering camp without a clearly defined role.
At this point, it’s hard to read too much into this rumor. Moncada will likely see continued interest in free agency from clubs with a more pressing need at third, but his injury history and limited positional flexibility make him an odd fit for a White Sox team that just turned the page.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation for further developments and provide any relevant updates. Follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more!
Featured Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
