His eight-season tenure with the White Sox came to an end in October when Chicago declined his club option, making him a free agent. While His last three years have been marred by injuries, Francys Romero (via X) reports that the 29-year-old is “generating a lot of interest in the market,” with the Blue Jays among the teams reportedly intrigued by the infielder.
In 2024, Toronto’s third basemen collectively posted 4.0 bWAR, a mark surpassed by only three MLB teams. Much of that value came from Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s strong contributions before his midseason trade. Ernie Clement also logged significant time at the position, showcasing solid defense but delivering a modest .263/.284/.408 slash line over 452 plate appearances. Heading into 2025, the Blue Jays have Clement and several younger, less-experienced options—such as Addison Barger, Orelvis Martinez, and Leo Jimenez—who are capable of handling third base, though Clement remains the standout defensively.
The Blue Jays’ interest in Him aligns with their broader offseason strategy of exploring a range of options for third and second base. They’ve been linked to high-profile targets like Alex Bregman, Willy Adames, and Ha-Seong Kim, but He represents a more low-profile and potentially lower-cost alternative. With Toronto’s offseason headlined by the pursuit of Juan Soto, He could be a complementary addition, regardless of whether Soto’s acquisition reshapes the payroll.
Moncada’s situation bears some resemblance to Toronto’s signing of Kiner-Falefa last winter, as he could provide veteran depth alongside younger players. However, Moncada lacks the defensive versatility of Kiner-Falefa and might not offer a clear upgrade over the Jays’ current third-base options.
Once a highly touted prospect and the centerpiece of the 2016 Chris Sale trade, Moncada seemed poised for stardom after a breakout 2019 season, which led to a five-year, $70 million extension in 2020. A solid 2021 campaign reinforced his role as a cornerstone for the White Sox. However, injuries have derailed his career since 2022, limiting him to just 208 games out of a possible 486. Back problems, hamstring issues, an oblique strain, and an adductor injury sidelined him for most of 2024, during which he played only 12 games.
Moncada’s offensive production has also suffered, with a .236/.291/.387 line across 835 plate appearances over the last three seasons. Despite this, his potential for a rebound makes him an intriguing option for teams like the Blue Jays. A fresh start outside Chicago—where the team hit a franchise-low 121 losses in 2024—could help Moncada regain form. As a low-risk signing, he could provide value as a part-time option at third base or even second base, where he played earlier in his career.
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