The Chicago White Sox have had quite the offseason, trying to emerge as a true contender in the American League (AL) Central division. They have been locking their young stars up with rookie Luis Robert and rising star Eloy Jiménez both getting contract extensions. The latest to receive an extension is the third baseman Yoán Moncada who has received a five-year extension.
The extension is slated to be worth $70 million, but if the club exercises its options it can bring the total to $90 million. Ken Rosenthal reported the two sides to have closed on the deal, but it was Bob Nightengale who reported the financials of the contract.
3B Yoan Moncada in agreement with #WhiteSox on five-year extension with a club option, sources tell The Athletic. Dollars not yet known. Would potentially buy out two free-agent years. If option is exercised, Moncada would hit open market after age 30 season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 5, 2020
Source confirms: Moncada five-year extension is for $70M. Exercising of club option can bring total value to $90M. On it: @BNightengale.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 5, 2020
Moncada’s new deal will buy out two years of free agency, keeping him with the White Sox for the next five seasons and possibly longer. This extension comes after a break out season for the third baseman. In 2019, Moncada played in 132 games where he hit .315/.367/.548 with twenty-five home runs and seventy-nine RBI. He also has some speed, he only stole ten bags on thirteen tries last year but could run some more in 2020.
Moncada is part of a very young nucleus that is only getting better as the years go on, Jimenéz, Robert, and Moncada have very bright futures. Besides them, they also have a second baseman, Nick Madrigal, in the minor leagues who will be an exceptional hitter in the big leagues. Last year they selected the first baseman Andrew Vaughn with the third overall draft pick and he will add to the already stacked group of young stars they have.
