Yoan Moncada and White Sox Reportedly Nearing Record-Setting Extension
By Brendan Balsamo
After being a top prospect for years in the Boston Red Sox farm system, Yoan Moncada came to the major leagues in 2016 and disappointed. He was then traded to the Chicago White Sox as part of a package for Chris Sale, and has since worked his way back to the majors.
In 2019, things finally started to come together for the former No. 1 overall prospect, and it's set to pay off in a big way. The White Sox and the 24-year-old are reportedly working towards an agreement on a franchise record-setting extension.
Sources: The #WhiteSox and Yoan Moncada are in discussions on a contract extension. It should be for 6+ seasons and the total outlay would be the largest in franchise history if completed.
— James Fox (@JamesFox917) February 24, 2020
Per James Fox, the deal would be in the six-plus year range and would be the largest contract in White Sox history.
Moncada had a big year in 2019, registering a WAR of 4.6 (over half of his total career WAR), and hitting .315 with 25 home runs and 79 RBI. Those are significant improvements from his 2018 campaign in which he hit .235 and led the MLB with a ghastly 217 strikeouts.
The White Sox, after a long rebuild, are finally on the verge of contention. Locking up Moncada is just a big piece to a grander puzzle that is nearing its completion.
From the source who informed me that #WhiteSox and CF Luis Robert were nearing contract agreement a day before it was announced:#WhiteSox and 3B Yoan Moncada’s reps are actively discussing contract extension. Both sides are confident an agreement will be reached by opening day!
— NOT St*ve C*shek (@NOTCishek) February 24, 2020
The White Sox spent big in the offseason, bringing aboard the likes of Edwin Encarnacion, Yasmani Grandal, Nomar Mazara and Dallas Keuchel to supplant their core of Moncada, Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Lucas Giolito, and hopefully Michael Kopech. That's a team ready to break through in 2020.