Moreland: Sox 1st order of business
The Red Sox have their first free agent signing of the winter, but they’re still without the offensive boost they’ve been seeking.
First baseman Mitch Moreland returned on a two-year deal worth $13 million. A source told the Herald the contract is split evenly between the two seasons.
The agreement brings a productive player back into the fold and solidifies a position of uncertainty, and surely takes free agent Eric Hosmer off the table and raises questions about the team’s pursuit of J.D. Martinez.
“We still continue to feel that we have the opportunity to add someone else to our club from an offensive perspective that won’t be a first baseman,” team president Dave Dombrowski said.
“But we feel we have a DH (spot available), that between Hanley (Ramirez), and if I could find someone else, outfield spots, that would give us plenty of atbats and opportunities for somebody to contribute in a full-time fashion. I don’t know if it will happen or not, but there are some names out there, people from a trade and free agent perspective that we’ll continue to talk to.”
It’s perhaps telling that Dombrowski floated the idea of outfield playing time being available because Martinez is said to prefer at least some of his time in the outfield. He most naturally fits the Red Sox as a designated hitter, but the team could use him to give the outfield regulars occasional days off.
They also could trade center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to open an everyday spot in the outfield, but Dombrowski said there are enough available at-bats to sign another hitter without trading someone else.
“I think we could,” he said. Moreland made a strong impression last season when he signed a one-year deal and finished with a career-high 56 extrabase hits, including 34 doubles, the second most on the team. He is considered a strong defender at first base, and was especially productive last season if you dismiss the two months immediately after a toe injury, which he played through.
“I’m not planning on breaking my toe this year,” he said.
Dombrowski said the plan is to use Moreland primarily as a platoon first baseman with Ramirez, who would handle first base against lefthanded pitchers. For now, Ramirez also fits as the everyday DH against righties, but signing another hitter might change that.
Ramirez’ contract includes a vesting option for 2019 that kicks in if he gets 497 plate appearances next season. He might not get there if the Red Sox acquire a full-time DH.
“We do have a variety of ways that we could go and explore different ways as we go forward,” Dombrowski said. “But I also think, at least right now, we’re in a position that we could go forward as we are now.”
Moreland was part of a crowded free agent market at first base, and most of the big names were left-handed hitters like him. Hosmer remains the cream of the crop, but Logan Morrison, Yonder Alonso, Lucas Duda and Matt Adams are also lefties. Dombrowski made clear he’s no longer in the first base market.
Dombrowski said it was on Friday — the day Carlos Santana signed with Philadelphia — that the Red Sox focused on re-signing Moreland.
“It’ll make Christmas a little better, I guess,” Moreland said. “Just having the opportunity to come back here, really. That was something that was kind of high on my list and my family’s list. We had a blast here. Great place to play, obviously. Great team, and a team that’s going to go out there and compete year in and year out. The Red Sox, that’s what they do.”
Moreland had minor knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but he’s been 100 percent “for weeks now.” He does not expect it to be an issue for spring training. He’s already spoken with new manager Alex Cora, who he knew from their short time as teammates with the Rangers in 2010.
“He sounded like he’s got a great game plan for us, and just the atmosphere he wants to set not just on the field but off the field,” Moreland said.
For now, Cora stands out as the Red Sox biggest change since last season. Moreland was a valuable hitter, but bringing him back is a lateral move for a team trying to add home run power.
Re-signing Moreland is the Red Sox first move, but it may not be their last.