In the TabLLoids: Yoán Moncada

EXCLUSIVE! Seattle Baseball Team Linked to Available Baseball Player!

Spotted... 29-year-old Yoán Moncada, seen this week entering the Free Agent Market after the Chicago White Sox declined his $25 million club option. It was a rough look for the Cuban infielder to be set loose by the team that set the record for losses in a single season of modern MLB history, but doesn’t seem to have deterred respective suitors. Multiple teams, including the Yankees, Mariners and Blue Jays are all rumored to have expressed interest.

The aggrieved Adonis of Abreus was hot on the scene back in 2014, when he made his way to the states at age 20 and was swiftly scooped up by the Boston Red Sox to the tune of $31.5 million ahead of the 2015 season. After making his big league debut, he starred in Winter 2016’s spiciest blockbuster that saw Chicago cut (wink) ties with Chris Sale.

Stars! They’re Just Like Us!... Last year, Moncada politely declined to risk his mind, body and soul (save for a dozen games) amidst the atrocities being committed at Guaranteed Rate Field. We stan a relatable king! Sure, technically he missed all that time with an adductor strain, but come on honey.

Much like his nickname, Yoyo’s career has had its highs and lows. Some have called him out for not “living up to the hype” with a career wRC+ just above average, defense that’s almost always a liability and a history of injuries that have kept him out of large chunks of his 9 big league seasons. But his fans are quick to point to his #1 prospect history and 2019 (5.2 fWAR)/2021 (3.7 fWAR) seasons.

So what’s the low on Yo? That bat can play, baby, but the real question is if his body can. If the M’s are curious about taking a flier on an erstwhile free agent Cuban hottie with a few years in Chicago under his belt, this reporter would encourage them to refocus their attention on the hurtin’ hunk of Havana.

Stove status... You thought you pressed start but you didn’t, you absolute buffoon. Poor Yoyo may have been laid low-low already.