Welcome again to the 2025-26 version of Smash or Pass, by which we study potential free agent and commerce targets to find out whether or not the Pink Sox ought to pursue them and what it might take to land them. Subsequent up, a former prime prospect.
Who’s he and the place does he come from?
He’s outdated pal Yoan Moncada, and he involves this collection by way of pure desperation. About 10 years in the past, Moncada was the following massive factor, rising to as excessive as quantity two on the MLB Pipeline High 100 prospects listing. Each commerce rumor hinged on whether or not the Pink Sox can be keen to maneuver on from the Cuban infielder. After all, they ultimately did commerce Moncada because the centerpiece of the Chris Sale return, and the infielder spent 2017 to 2024 with the White Sox. After 2024, he signed a one-year take care of the Angels. One 12 months handed, and now he’s available on the market as soon as once more.
Like every 30-year-old free agent who simply performed on a one-year, $5 million contract, he has his flaws. I wouldn’t be writing about him if there wasn’t one thing to love, although. He posted a 116 OPS+ in 2025, which means there’s worth within the bat. He’s a number of years and a number of other accidents faraway from his peak, however he did put collectively seasons of 5.1 and 4.1 bWAR in 2019 and 2021. He’s not with out flaws, and it’s truthful to surprise if he’ll ever get again on monitor as a result of accidents, however on the very least, he’s proficient.
TL;DR, simply give me his 2025 stats
84 G, .234 AVG, .336 OBP, .448 SLG, 12 HR, 26% Okay%, 11.1% BB%, 0.7 bWAR
Why would he be an excellent match for the Red Sox?
Properly, he performs third base. If you haven’t been following the news, the Pink Sox are lacking a type of. Other than that, he can hit. He has a robust understanding of the strike zone and takes his walks. He additionally has above-average bat velocity and has turned that into energy. Regardless of enjoying damage in 2025, he turned in a .448 slugging share with 12 house runs in 84 video games. Strikeouts have been an issue all through his profession, however he impacts the ball effectively when he does join. He didn’t have sufficient enjoying time to qualify for leaderboards, however he pulled the ball within the air at a fee that might have positioned him contained in the top-30 in baseball. Moncada change hits, however an damage prevented him from hitting right-handed for many of 2025. His pulled fly balls are primarily left-handed, which aren’t as precious as these from the precise at Fenway, however pulled fly balls are constructive both approach.
Why wouldn’t he be an excellent match on the Pink Sox?
In simply half a season, he accrued -13 outs above common and -10 defensive runs saved. I’m an optimist, and I feel the Pink Sox signing Moncada is an actual chance (no, I don’t have sources), so I received’t say that he was the worst defensive third baseman in baseball in 2025, however I wouldn’t appropriate you in the event you stated he was. Earlier than becoming a member of the Angels, nonetheless, he was a reasonably common defender. From 2021 to 2025, his lowest OAA mark for a season was -1, whereas his highest was a really respectable 5. Whereas I don’t count on him to be a gold glove defender, it’s truthful to surprise if the knee damage he handled restricted his effectiveness.
Talking of accidents, they’ve plagued him all through his profession. He hasn’t performed greater than 104 video games since 2021. One of the best capability might be invisibility, however availability isn’t far behind, and Moncada hasn’t been obtainable for a lot of his profession.
Final 12 months, he performed for $5 million. He’s getting into his age-31 season and isn’t going to command a long-term take care of his damage historical past. Baseball America projected he’ll get a one-year, $15 million contract. My very sophisticated player valuation model spat out two years, $23.5 million.
Present me a cool spotlight.
If it had been as much as me, the Pink Sox would signal Bo Bichette, maintain Marcelo Mayer at third, and see what occurs. I’ve been improper earlier than, notably about the place Bregman would find yourself, however I don’t see that taking place. If you wish to watch Eugenio Suarez attempt to hit 60 house runs onto the Mass Pike, I don’t blame you. I don’t suppose a 35% strikeout fee participant goes to deliver you a championship, although. Moncada most likely received’t both, but when the celebs align, he might be a 3 bWAR participant for a season. The ceiling is there, and he’s not going to value a lot, which is seemingly vital as of late. For those who advised me in October that Yoan Moncada would begin at third base in 2026, I’d be sick. For the sake of sticking with the outdated metaphor within the title, it’s 2 a.m., and the bar is closing, so I suppose you could possibly do worse. Smash, reluctantly.
Creator’s Notice: That is most likely a foul concept. Commerce for Isaac Parades, signal Bo Bichette, get actually anybody who’s a confirmed productive participant. Ignore what I’ve to say; I’m only a fan in disaster.
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