The Brewers Should Roll The Dice On Yoan Moncada

Aside from Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander, and Tanner Scott, most big-money free agents have been signed. This is where the Milwaukee Brewers enter the market and look for a high-upside bargain-free agent. The team did this last year when they signed first baseman Rhys Hoskins. However, the team needs a third baseman since Joey Ortiz is moving over to shortstop replacing the departed Willy Adames. Former White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada is the player that perfectly matches this profile.

The Brewers Have A Need At Third Base

The Brewers have gone through lots of changes this offseason. Longtime standout shortstop Willy Adames departed as a free agent and signed with the San Francisco Giants. After Adames’s departure, the team moved last year’s third baseman Joey Ortiz to shortstop. Moving Ortiz naturally created an opening at third base. The depth is currently limited at the position. The only players currently on the roster who can play it are Oliver Dunn, Vinny Capra, Andruw Monasterio, and offseason trade acquisition Caleb Durbin. While all of them provide solid depth, they aren’t the kind of players Milwaukee will want to rely on for the entire season.

Promising Career Derailed By Injuries

Yoan Moncada initially got off to a promising start. However, the biggest issue plaguing Yoan Moncada in recent years is his ability to stay on the field. Due to various injuries, he has only played in 60% of his team’s games. Last season, Moncada was limited to just 12 games due to a strained abductor. This offseason, the White Sox declined his $25 million option, making him a free agent. This marked the end of what was a disappointing tenure for the once-promising player.

Yoan Moncada Is An Impact Player When Healthy

Despite the obvious injury concerns, there is no denying his upside. His best season came in 2019 when he slashed .315/.367/.548 with 25 homers, 79 RBI, and an OPS of .915. He also had a WAR of 5.2. That season, he also earned some MVP votes as well. While that seems more like ancient history, it shows that Moncada can be an impact bat when healthy.

Yoan Moncada’s last qualified season was in 2021. That season he slashed .264/.375/.412 with 33 doubles, 14 homers, 61 RBI, and an OPS of .787. He also registered a WAR of 4.0. Can Moncada be an impact player again? Possibly. He’ll only be turning 30 years old during the season. The former White Sox star has a lot to prove before teams give him more than one guaranteed year. Given how low his value is currently, the Brewers would have all the leverage in negotiations. Milwaukee could perhaps give him a contract like the one they gave Hoskins last offseason. He is a low-risk high-reward free agent that the Milwaukee Brewers always crave. Perhaps getting away from the Chicago White Sox could allow Moncada to have a resurgent year.

The Brewers Have Plenty Of Depth To Support This Move

In case Yoan Moncada still has injury problems, the Brewers have the depth to support this move. Oliver Dunn, Andruw Monasterio, and Vinny Capra have combined to appear in 115 games at third base at the big-league level. While he has yet to make his MLB debut and is primarily a second baseman, Caleb Durbin has appeared in 67 games at third base in the minor leagues. The Brewers almost have nothing to lose if they were to sign Moncada.

This Could Be Another Shrewd Move By The Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers could use some more “pop” in their lineup. Yoan Moncada can potentially be that player. While he’s had injury problems in recent years, he has shown he can make an impact offensively. He has the potential to have a resurgent year. If Moncada’s injuries are still an issue, Milwaukee has solid depth at third base. Moncada would only be a short-term commitment and wouldn’t set the organization back if he doesn’t work out. Yoan Moncada has the potential to be another shrewd move by the Brewers front office.

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