Denver, Colorado – The Colorado Rockies have reached a one-year, $1.25 million deal with outfielder Mickey Moniak, as reported by sources familiar with the agreement. Moniak, who was released by the Los Angeles Angels recently, brings over three years of service time and remains under team control through 2027 via arbitration. Although the Rockies have not officially announced the signing, they cleared a spot on their 40-man roster by waiving Greg Jones, who was subsequently claimed by the Chicago White Sox.
Moniak recently went through an arbitration hearing with the Angels and came out victorious, securing a $2 million salary. However, in arbitration cases, salaries are not fully guaranteed unless both the player and team agree to terms without a hearing. This change was implemented in the most recent collective bargaining agreement to encourage players to settle deals without the need for hearings.
After being cut loose by the Angels, Moniak received approximately $484,000 as termination pay before signing with the Rockies. With his new contract, he has now secured around $1.73 million for the season. While this amount falls short of what he was awarded in arbitration, it still surpasses the Angels’ filing figure of $1.5 million. Moniak’s new contract aligns closely with the midpoint between his and the Angels’ salary numbers.
As a left-handed hitting center fielder, Moniak played a significant role for the Angels in the last two seasons. Despite having a strong 2023 season with a .280 batting average and 14 home runs, his performance dipped in the following season with a .219 batting average over 418 plate appearances. However, he managed to reduce his strikeout rate to 27.3%, making him a valuable addition to the Rockies outfield.
The Angels’ decision to shift Mike Trout to right field created an opportunity for Moniak and another prospect, Jo Adell, to platoon in center field. Despite a challenging Spring Training where Moniak batted .191 with 18 strikeouts in 58 plate appearances, the Rockies see potential in him as a fourth outfielder. This move might spell trouble for Sam Hilliard, another left-handed hitter, who was expected to fill the same role but struggled in Spring Training.
In Colorado, Moniak joins a talented outfield that includes Brenton Doyle, Jordan Beck, Sean Bouchard, and Nick Martini. With the team’s recent roster changes, Hilliard and Moniak, both without options, will need to prove themselves in order to secure spots on the team or risk being exposed to waivers. Moniak’s versatility and experience could make him a valuable asset for the Rockies in the upcoming season.