Yankees Rumors: New York chasing bounce-back free agent who spurned them as prospect

Once upon a time, the Yankees were thought to have a powerful upper hand in the race for a top international free agent, only to find out at the horn that they'd been outfoxed.

No, we're not talking about Shohei Ohtani, though the Yankees were expected to be the "favorite" for his services before they were, somehow, eliminated in the first wave. We're throwing it back even further to the winter of 2015, when the Yankees, stuck in neutral, had a chance to reestablish their dominance on the international market.

Instead, they watched the Red Sox eat their lunch, signing Yoan Moncada in February. Had Boston been a rumored Moncada destination? Nope! Not really. But the deed was done, and all Yankee fans were left with was a sad loser's lament, hoping that Moncada's potential was never realized.

As it turns out, he failed to hit his ceiling, but that happened in Chicago; the Red Sox were smart enough to deal him early in exchange for Chris Sale.

Now, years removed from a breakout 2019 season (140 OPS+, but remember the juiced ball?) and a competent 2021 (4.0 bWAR, 116 OPS+ during a Tony La Russa playoff push), Moncada has reached free agency. The Yankees have reportedly checked in early. Four other teams, including the Blue Jays and Mariners, have registered their interest as well and ... how can we put this ... it feels like he'd taunt the Yankees with a rival, but might wilt further if he joined them?

Yankees, Mariners, Blue Jays chasing after White Sox free agent Yoan Moncada

Now, we know it doesn't get more tempting than "someone the record-setting loser White Sox gave up on," so don't all leap at once!

Moncada's free agency began when the White Sox declined his remarkably high $25 million club option at the end of the postseason, instead paying a $5 million buyout. He showed flashes of talent as recently as last season, posting a .756 OPS/117 OPS+. Unfortunately, it came in a minuscule sample size of 40 at-bats; he spent the majority of the year on the injured list with a left adductor strain. Yes, that ... somehow lasted all year.

Moncada has had drastic peaks and valleys in recent years, all of which have been interrupted by injury. His 2022 season, consisting of 104 games' worth of 77 OPS+ work, has left a bad taste lingering. Due to repeated setbacks, he's been unable to clear the deck of bad vibes in its aftermath.

Perhaps he'll be a suitable third base option, allowing the Yankees to move Jazz Chisholm back to second. It's more likely, though, that he'll be an expensive bench flyer who's outshined by Caleb Durbin.