Cubs Rumors: Former polarizing White Sox star could be answer to bench need

The Chicago Cubs appear to be ready for top prospect Matt Shaw to be given the reigns at third base in 2025 but for a team expected to contend, counting on Shaw to be the immediate answer would be a miscalculation by the front office.

That's likely why the Cubs were involved in the sweepstakes for Josh Rojas and Hyeseong Kim this past week. Rojas inked a one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox while Kim unsurprisingly decided to start his Major League Baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs find themselves in a less-than-desirable position when it comes to pursuing free agents like Rojas and Kim. Given their inclination for Shaw to be the Opening Day third baseman, a free-agent third baseman likely won't choose the Cubs if the money is the same or, at least, in the same neighborhood.

That context should be considered when talking about the latest Cubs' rumor.

After a breakout campaign with the Chicago White Sox in 2019, Yoan Moncada appeared to be living up to the hype of being the game's top prospect when the White Sox acquired him from the Boston Red Sox in the Chris Sale trade. Moncada posted a 139 wRC+ with the White Sox in 2019 but injuries and ineffectiveness have derailed his path to superstardom.

Moncada has appeared in less than 100 games in each of the past two seasons. Given those injuries, any teams interested in the veteran third baseman should be cautious about comitting to him being an everyday player. However, considering the offseason of the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, a path to being a starter with one of those two teams is easier for Moncada than it would be on the Cubs.

If Moncada were comfortable with starter-adjacent plate appearances, he would be an intriguing addition to the Cubs' bench. Although his sample size was only 12 games last season, Moncada posted a 117 wRC+ in 45 plate appearances. Not to mention, Moncada would be able to remain in Chicago--the player has spent his entire career outside of 8 games with the Red Sox in 2016.