ANAHEIM -- The Angels will have a familiar face at third base in 2026, as they have agreed to bring back Yoán Moncada on a one-year deal worth $4 million, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
The Angels have not officially announced the deal, which is pending a physical.
Moncada, 30, played in 84 games with the Angels last season after a signing a one-year, $5 million contract. He posted a slash line of .234/.336/.448 with 12 homers, 13 doubles and 35 RBIs. He played 76 games at third base but dealt with a right thumb strain early in the season and right knee inflammation in June that lingered throughout the rest of the season.
The Angels were need of a third baseman with Anthony Rendon out for his second straight season after hip surgery. The Angels restructured the last year of Rendon’s contract to free up money in the short term, and Rendon will be added to the 60-man injured list before the season to open a 40-man roster spot.
Moncada is expected to be the club’s regular at third base, but the former top prospect will have to prove he can stay healthy. He was limited to 104 games in 2022, 92 in ’23, 12 in ’24 and 84 last year. He has a career slash line of .252/.332/.426 in 10 seasons with the Red Sox, White Sox and Angels.
Moncada joins an infield that includes starting shortstop Zach Neto and first baseman Nolan Schanuel. Christian Moore is the favorite to start at second base but will have to earn his spot this spring.
Utility player Oswald Peraza is in the mix, while former top prospect Vaughn Grissom was acquired in a trade with the Red Sox. Denzer Guzman, the club’s No. 8 prospect prospect, per MLB Pipeline, also saw time at third down the stretch last season.
The Angels remain on the lookout for pitching, particularly a starter. There’s also a chance they could add to the outfield, but they traded for outfielder Josh Lowe from the Rays last week.