The Chicago Cubs offered Yoan Moncada a one-year, $3 million contract before he agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, according to Francys Romero on Twitter/X.
The Chicago Cubs expressed strong interest in Yoan Moncada and even made an offer of approximately $3 million for one season, according to sources.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) February 7, 2025
That Moncada chose the Angels’ reported $5 million offer instead is no surprise.
But the Cubs’ offer of $3 million for the switch-hitting third baseman comes amid rumors linking them to free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who earlier this offseason rejected the Houston Astros’ offer of a six-year, $156 million contract.
On Tuesday, NorthSideBaseball.com reported the Cubs made a “creative” four-year offer to Bregman, worth around $30 million annually over four years, with multiple opt-outs.
Signing Moncada would not necessarily have taken the Cubs out of the running for Bregman, but it would have made for a crowded infield with Michael Busch at first base, Nico Hoerner at second, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, and rookie Matt Shaw the heir apparent at third.
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Moncada was a Top-10 prospect in MLB prior to the 2016 and 2017 seasons as he rose through the Boston Red Sox organization. The Cuban native only played eight games with Boston before he was traded to the White Sox in the deal that sent Chris Sale to the Red Sox.
Now 29, Moncada is looking for a bounceback season in 2025, after injuries limited him to 40 at-bats in 2024. In a nine-year major league career with Boston and Chicago, Moncada hit 93 home runs, drove in 339 runs, and slashed .254/.331/.424.
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The White Sox ultimately exercised a $5 million buyout rather than pick up the $25 million option on Moncada’s contract for 2025. In September of last year, during an interview with MLB.com, Moncada spoke of his career in Chicago in the past tense.
“It has been a good career with ups and downs. The cons are the injuries,” Moncada told Scott Merkin. “That definitely affected me and affected my ability to display all I could do.
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“I’ve done it when I’ve been healthy. I wouldn’t say it has been bad. I have a good career here. It could have been better for sure.”
In Anaheim, Moncada will reunite with longtime White Sox teammate Tim Anderson. The shortstop recently signed a minor league contract with the Angels with an invitation to spring training. He will also have a chance to unseat veteran Anthony Rendon at third base.
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