Third baseman Yoan Moncada agreed to a contract extension with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.
The deal is for five years and includes a sixth-year club option, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The extension also buys out two years of Moncada’s free agency. The deal is worth $70 million and the club option is worth $25 million. There is also a $5 million buyout, so if the option is used the deal could be worth $90 million.
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
“Honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to that. My focus is just on the game, prepare myself to be in the best position that I can be for the season and just work hard. That’s my goal and where my focus is,” Moncada said last week about the possibility of getting an extension.
In addition to Moncada, the White Sox have also reached deals this offseason with Luis Robert, Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Encarnacion, and Jose Abreu.
Moncada was acquired by the White Sox in 2016 in a trade that sent Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox. Last year, he had a career year by hitting .315 with 25 home runs and 79 RBI. In three seasons with the White Sox, Moncada has hit .265 with 50 home runs and 163 RBI.
Moncada’s and the other deals the White Sox have made this offseason are good for the Chicago. The White Sox now have a young core of players and that is good for their future. Last year, the White Sox were 72-89 and finished in third in the American League Central. With the young players that the White Sox have, they could be World Series contenders this year and for years to come.
