4:05pm: There is “strong buzz” at the Winter Meetings suggesting the Red Sox could sign Moreland, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweets.
10:27am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that Boston is “strongly in the mix” for Moreland.
10:17am: The Red Sox are in on first baseman Mitch Moreland, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, who also notes that the Indians are in the mix for Moreland. The Rangers, according to Wilson, are “out” on Moreland, who has spent his entire career to date in a Rangers uniform. Moreland could be nearing a decision, Wilson further reports.
The 31-year-old Moreland had a big 2015 in Texas (.278/.330/.482) but slipped up in 2016, struggling to a .233/.298/.422 batting line in 503 plate appearances. Moreland would give either club a left-handed option at first base/designated hitter, but he’d need a platoon partner, as he’s a career .240/.295/.378 hitter against left-handed pitching. He has, however, hit at least 22 homers in each of his past three healthy seasons (an ankle injury limited him to 52 games in 2014).
Boston obviously has an opening at DH and has reportedly been averse to the idea of signing a designated hitter to a long-term deal. Moreland could present a shorter-term option. As for Cleveland, the reigning AL champions could lose Mike Napoli to free agency, and given Napoli’s reported preference for a lucrative three-year deal, Moreland could represent both a younger and more affordable option for Cleveland. The Indians have also been tied to Edwin Encarnacion, but it’s not clear exactly how high they’d be able to go in that pursuit. At the very least, it seems that president of baseball ops Chris Antonetti, GM Mike Chernoff and the rest of the Cleveland front office are exploring multiple avenues as they look to add some offense at first base/DH.
Why would the Red Sox be interested in Moreland? Dude’s value is with the glove. As a hitter he’s about league average, which is not really what you want as a DH.
Move Hanley to DH perhaps?
It will be like when Prince Fielder first went to spring training with the Rangers and saw Moreland play first and immediately told the club….”I’m good with DH”.
Thought about Rameriez and Moreland switch position? I think that’s a good short term solution
I’d just prefer wait out the dh market than sign Moreland early quite possibly could get a better hitter Bautista or encarnacion could come on a shorter than expected term deal.
While it’s true that price-tag for Bluejays hitters could come down, you are forgetting that those players would cost Red Sox to forfeit their 1st rd. pick. Given that lineup is already strong, and the value of both prospects and the draft slot, Moreland represents a nice buy low candidate.
Still have Alvarez or Napoli. I agree with the draft compensation being an issue especially since this would be the last time they would deal with it. But not Moreland I liked ramirez @ first I’d prefer offense with that slot hell give sam Travis a shot not Moreland.
Real simple guys Moreland is a lefty.. EE and Bautista are not… 2) Hanley has stated he does not want to be DH only
http://www.fangraphs.com/statsplits.aspx?playerid=1887&position=3B/OF&season=2016
http://www.fangraphs.com/statsplits.aspx?playerid=2151&position=1B/3B/DH&season=2013
Splits vs left right not that different don’t understand the need for left when you don’t have significant platoon splits especially @ fenway.
Moreland is a left handed stick. Pesky Pole is a perfect fit for Moreland. Hanley isn’t a bad defender by any means he can play other positions such as Third Base.
If that’s the plan to put hanley @3b I’d be OK with that but if it’s too put moreland part time 1b dh with the same for hanley I’d just prefer not make a move to go over the tax for another year for him. Right field loses home runs even with pesky it’s deep everywhere else in right I don’t see him gaining anything by being @ fenway vs Texas.
Lets not move Hanley to a new position ever 11 months…
Yeah now that they have sale they clearly are going for it just sign Bautista/edwin. I like hanley @1b keep him there with some time @ dh.
Mitch plays first, Hanley DHs.
Why not just bring back Napoli then split time at first? Hanley was pretty good defensively.
Hanley would be p’o’ed, he’s made that abundantly clear. And you do not want a pissed Hanley Ramirez on your team.
Because they’re looking for a left handed hitter.
Melky Cabrera, v-mart, granderson take your pick all available provide more than moreland offensively and hit from the left side. Heck dh swihart we don’t need help defensively @1b which is all he really provides.
Mitch will probably go off and be a monster hitter in another city as often happens with ex-Rangers first basemen.
Well, once.
There was Chris Davis as well.
Chris Davis
Mark Teixeira
Adrian Gonzalez
Travis Hafner
Yeah, Smoak was quite the monster.
I actually like this move. Good fielder, lefty, and can hit 20-25 with an outside shot at putting up a career year with a change of scenery. Shouldn’t be all that expensive either. Move Hanley to DH.
Probably. He is a good third basemen and can be a good clutch hitter at times.
Typo. I meant first basemen
Victor Martinez could make a good piece for the Red Sox. Shave payroll for the Tigers who won’t be a contender next year and add a very strong veteran switch hitter for the middle of the strong Boston lineup.
That would be interesting. I’m thinking he has 10-and-5 rights though.
He wouldn’t come to this team and a place he’s thrived and was upset to leave?
VMart would be very good 4 rSox. But I don’t think the Red Sox would go there.
Don’t do it redsox!! We can trade a young controllable pitcher for a young controllable hitter. Erod or Pom for Gallo maybe?
Done deal. 1yr.