The White Sox have mastered the art of extending young players. Luis Robert hasn’t played an inning in the big leagues and has a major league contract buying out years of arbitration taken care of. They did the same with Chris Sale upping his eventual trade value. In return for Sale, the big piece they got back was Yoan Moncada. Not only is Moncada turning into a superstar, he’s going to be a cheap superstar. The White Sox and Yoan Moncada have agreed to a contract extension buying out multiple years of free agency.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was the first to report the news:
Jeff Passan has added to the original Rosenthal news:
This is a huge win for Chicago. They now have signed Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and Aaron Bummer to long term extensions just this past year. The White Sox also added Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, and Nomar Mazara this offseason. To buy out multiple years of free agency is a huge win for the Chicago White Sox. Moncada has emerged as a star and is finally living up to his former number one overall prospect status.
Moncada struggled in his early big league action. I was worried he was a bust. The Cuban born infielder never hit above .235 in 2016, 2017, or 2018. He was also striking out a ridiculous rate. He struck out 12 times in 20 at bats in short time with Boston before the Sale trade. In 2018, Moncada struck out a league high 217 times. 2019 was much, much different.
In 132 games this past year, Moncada slashed .315/.367/.548 with 25 homers and an OPS+ of 141. Moncada is big time now. Moncada, 25, is probably not done growing yet either which is scary. Rick Hahn did a hell of a job. Not only did he snag a star in a trade, he extended that star turning the asset into a cheap one. The White Sox are coming and dangerous.
