With the recent signing of Yoan Moncada to one-year for five million dollars, the Los Angeles Angels might have acquired their starting third baseman for the upcoming season. Expect Moncada to take the disappointing Anthony Rendon’s place in the starting lineup.
His participation in the Roberto Clemente League ended after six games with five hits in 20 at-bats to leave an average .250 in the league. He knocked in a run and scored three times. He was only with the squad for five days before an injury forced him to call it quits. Moncada was expected to play at least 18 games with the San Juan Senators.
Last season with the White Sox, his production was limited (11 hits in 40 at-bats). However, during his minor league rehab, he showed flashes of his potential swatting 22 hits in 56 at-bats, including a home run, six RBIs and seven runs scored (1.006 OPS). His goal for 2025 is to stay healthy and play a full season, something he hasn’t accomplished in a long time.
Monacada made $24.8 million in 2024, his eighth and final season wearing the White Sox uniform. The infielder had to take a significant pay cut this offseason, many thought he would be relegated to sign for the league minimum or maybe have to settle for a minor league contract with an invitation to a spring training camp, but his signing with Los Angeles gives him a big opportunity to revive his career.
Over his nine seasons in the major leagues he’s slashing .254/.331/.424/.756 with 93 homeruns and 339 runs batted in with the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. Moncada also saw action last year with the Cuban National Team in the Premier 12 and will more than likely be available for Cuba in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in 2026.
How do you feel about being here?
Actually I have spent my entire career with the White Sox. Being here with this team is a great opportunity for me. “I feel quite happy to be here.
What was the motivation for signing with the Angels?
There were several teams interested, but I really liked the Angels. It is a team that has many expectations. They gave me the opportunity and I’m happy to play alongside Mike Trout. We are going to handle our business this year.
What did it mean to know you to have this opportunity?
Several teams offered me the opportunity, but above all to be a utility player or play third and second, but really what I wanted was to be at my fixed base which is third. The Angels gave me that opportunity and here we are.
How frustrating was it dealing with injuries in 2024 and how do you feel now.
Yes, the injuries I have had have frustrated me. Nobody really wants to be injured, but thank God those injuries are in the past. Now I feel good, I feel healthy and eager to start the season.
You signed a one-year contract, how important is it to show that you are a big league talent?
My thing is to go out and play my ball as I have done in the past. I want to contribute to the team in whatever way and win games, which is the most important thing for the team right now.
What type of player do you think you can be?
Actually I just want to contribute, as we Cubans say, add my grain of sand to the team. I’m going to be here and do whatever it takes, in whatever way I can help the team. I have spoken with the manager to work on improving my defense and with the hitting coach to see how we can work this year. They are going to help me a lot.
How do you rate what you experienced in the end in Chicago, since you played so little at the end.
It was actually a quite difficult year for me. They made their decision of what they were going to do. The only thing is that they did not tell me about it when I arrived in Chicago, but that is in the past now..