The Chicago White Sox Will Pay Yoan Moncada $5,000,000 Next Year To Play Somewhere Else
CHICAGO — The White Sox declined a $25 million option on third baseman Yoán Moncada after he missed almost the entire season because of a left adductor strain. Chicago also declined a $7.5 million option on catcher Max Stassi. The 29-year-old Moncada gets a $5 million buyout, completing a $70 million, five-year contract. He played in just 12 games this year. Moncada was hurt trying to beat out a grounder at Cleveland on April 9 and did not return until Sept. 18.
This is actually very sad news because Yoan Moncada is one of the most naturally gifted players I have seen in my adult life. There's absolutely no doubt about his raw tools and God-given talent. And there's equally no doubt that he's one of the biggest damn dogs you're ever going to find on a baseball diamond.
Suffice to say, the saga on the Southside of Chicago gets progressively sadder with each development. And that's happening despite everyone knowing each development well ahead of time. Everyone know Jerry Reinsdorf is a cheap asshole but it's not until you see the fake news about his interest in a new stadium that really stings. Just like it's obvious MLB wants the White Sox in Nashville and they're slowly headed that way. Everyone sees the writing on the wall but that doesn't make it any easier.
In this case the White Sox started to die three seasons ago. It was around late May 2022 when the wheels really started to fall off in all respects. The farm system was drying up, there were no decent free agents and the homegrown superstars couldn't stay healthy. Between Luis Robert, Eloy, Tim Anderson and Moncada, it completely went to shit as fast as it became good. And obviously that sucks because Chicago is much better off with a really good White Sox team because they easily have the best fanbase in the city. By far and away the most passionate and dedicated fans, arguably anywhere for any sport outside the Northeast.
And now all those people are being force-fed shit burgers on a near daily basis. The fact ownership will have to PAY Yoan Moncada $5,000,000 to not wear the team's uniform in the peak of his physical existence is downright atrocious and borderline nauseating. So much that I want to puke, and I don't even cheer for these assholes.
However, my father and my older brother are diehards. I see the pain the White Sox routinely bring and it breaks my heart because they're such good fans. Most in the White Sox crowd are and they deserve a lot better than 41-121 with immediate offseason steps towards rebuilding. Even so, it's hard to move forward when you know this is your recent past:
I think Ken.W.o is missing a couple more here. Like the Lance Lynn extension or bringing in Kimbrel when you have Liam Hendricks or trading a prime Chris Sale and then watching him win the Cy Young award 8 seasons later. Or giving up on a prime Dylan Cease because it's simply a waste of time having him in the rotation. Or having Pedro Gifrol lead your lifeless team long enough for most season ticket holders to outwardly declare defeat and give up. There's a lot of material on the table that only makes things worse.
My advice is to try and ignore it now and then figure out a way to brainwash yourself for the next 3-5 seasons. I have extensive experience watching Jim Hendry roll out 75-win teams where you're hoping Jeromy Burnitz has a career year. Or Milton Bradley's turned a corner. Or Jacque Jones and Jason Marquis still have another gear. Or that Ronny Cedeno can play 155 games a year at shortstop. On it goes, over and again, creating a near 12-year gap between meaningful baseball seasons at Wrigley. Then there's like three solid years start-to-finish only to go right back to being overwhelmingly mediocre. And as I type this, the Cubs are still trying to figure out a way to efficiently compete for division titles while everyone knows that's just an excuse to be cheap and profitable.
All of this to say it sucks for all of us. White Sox fans can be down bad right now because of the Moncada news and related embarrassment. But realistically, almost everyone else is extremely disappointed in their baseball team. Even Dodgers fans are annoyed with the parade route and postseason Dodger dog surcharge and parking garage gouging. So don't take it too personally that you're paying $5,000,000 for some lazy unprepared asshole to play somewhere else.
Advertisement
At least wait for him to go 40/40 next year with the Boston Red Sox.