Toronto Blue Jays lose out on another big free agent target as he opts for the Los Angeles Angels

Thursday brought the gut check, Moncada agreed to return to the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, pending a physical.

For Toronto, that is one more affordable infield swing gone.

The frustrating part is the Jays were connected to him for weeks, mostly as a low-cost upside play, not some savior signing. Moncada is 30 now, but he still looks like a real hitter when his body cooperates.

Moncada's 2025 line with the Angels was .234 with a .336 on-base percentage and a .448 slug, plus 12 homers in 84 games. That is not peak Moncada, but it is playable pop from the left side.

Toronto's offseason pivot explains part of it, because the front office already committed to Kazuma Okamoto at third base and reshaped the roster after Bo Bichette left.

Still, you can argue the Jays needed a second option who could take real at-bats.

This is where the miss matters, Moncada could have been a short-term bridge, a bat-first platoon piece, or simply insurance if the infield got thin by June.

Instead, the Jays are left hunting similar value in a market that dries up quickly.

My take is Toronto got too neat with the plan, betting on cleaner fits and overlooking the messy players who can still win you games.

While the Blue Jays have done a great job this off-season, it is hard to imagine that they do not need at least one more hitter this off-season.