Home Sport live MLB White Sox opt against $25 million contract extension for Yoán Moncada, decline $7.5 million option on Max Stassi

White Sox opt against $25 million contract extension for Yoán Moncada, decline $7.5 million option on Max Stassi

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CHICAGO – On Friday, the Chicago White Sox announced they would not be picking up the $25 million option for third baseman Yoán Moncada, who saw almost the entire season sidelined due to a left adductor strain.

In addition to Moncada, the team also opted against a $7.5 million option for catcher Max Stassi.

The 29-year-old Moncada will receive a $5 million buyout, which concludes his five-year, $70 million contract with the club.

This past season, Moncada managed to make only 12 appearances. His injuries began when he attempted to beat out a ground ball in a game against Cleveland on April 9, and he did not return to the field until September 18.

Moncada was brought to the White Sox from the Boston Red Sox in December 2016, as part of a trade that saw former ace Chris Sale head to Boston, along with pitcher Michael Kopech. Over his eight years with the White Sox, Moncada compiled a batting average of .254, with a total of 93 home runs and 338 runs batted in.

His standout season was in 2019, where he set personal records with a .315 batting average, 25 homers, and 79 RBIs. However, injuries have plagued him, as a back issue limited his participation to just 92 games in 2023, and he also faced oblique, quadriceps, hamstring, and foot problems in the previous year.

Max Stassi, meanwhile, has a $500,000 buyout as part of a three-year contract worth $17.5 million that he had previously agreed to with the Los Angeles Angels.

Stassi was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in December and started the season on the 10-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. Although he played five games during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, he ultimately underwent season-ending surgery on June 7.

The White Sox had a tumultuous season, setting a post-1900 record for losses with a dismal record of 41-121. Recently, the team appointed Will Venable as their new manager on Thursday, following the dismissal of Pedro Grifol in August.