The Chicago White Sox and star third baseman Yoan Moncada agreed to a five-year, $70-million contract extension plus a team option, the team announced Friday.
The extension is worth $65 million over the first five seasons and will include a $25-million option for the sixth year plus a $5-million buyout, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The infielder is guaranteed $70 million over the life of the contract.
The deal will potentially cover all of Moncada's arbitration-eligible seasons and two years of free agency. If the option is exercised, Moncada wouldn't become a free agent until after his age-30 campaign.
There are also $2.5 million in escalators, which can bring Moncada's total earnings up to $92.5 million, a source told Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.
Moncada, 24, made his major-league debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2016. He was traded that offseason to the White Sox alongside right-hander Michael Kopech and a pair of minor-leaguers for Chris Sale.
In 2019, Moncada slashed .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs and 79 RBIs in 132 games.
This is just the latest extension the White Sox have given to a highly touted player early in his career.
Outfielder Luis Robert signed a six-year, $50-million extension in January before even appearing in a big-league game. And last March, fellow outfielder Eloy Jimenez inked a six-year, $43-million extension. Both of those deals included a pair of club options.
