More on A’s
⏩ Hitter added: Mitch Moreland joins list of DH candidates.
With their projected lineup options trending heavily righthanded, the A’s are adding an experienced lefthanded hitter in Mitch Moreland, who has a history of success in Oakland.
Moreland and the A’s are in agreement on a oneyear, $2.25 million deal, pending a physical, a source told The Chronicle on Thursday. With former designated hitter Khris Davis traded to the Rangers, Moreland presents a lefthanded option at DH and potential depth behind Matt Olson at first base, where Moreland won a Gold Glove in 2016.
Olson, a twotime Gold Glover, is the only lefthandedhitting regular returning in the A’s lineup. Moreland, who has four 20plus homer seasons (most recently in 2017), owns an onbaseplusslugging percentage more than 100 points higher against righthanded pitching (.794) than lefties (.672).
Moreland split the short 2020 season between Boston and San Diego, posting a 1.177 OPS with eight home runs in 22 games for the Red Sox before being traded to the Padres and hitting .203 with two homers over his final 20 games. He spent his first seven MLB seasons with the Rangers and has good career numbers (15 home runs in 53 games) at the Coliseum, where his .902 OPS is his highest at any ballpark where he’s played at least 10 games.
The A’s in 2020 hit better against righthanded pitching (.728 OPS) than left (.683) but cited adding a lefthanded option for outfield or DH as an offseason need. The A’s didn’t confirm a deal with Moreland on Thursday. Speaking generally, manager Bob Melvin said “it doesn’t hurt to have some lefthanded bats.”
“We have a lot of righties here that can hit righties, so it wasn’t a huge concern,” Melvin said. “But anytime you can add to the mix with some lefthanded bats, you can give some guys some rest, you can move some guys around, you can give days off to some righties against real tough righties. Overall, it just makes us a better team.”
There’s little majorleague experience among lefthanded hitting outfielders in A’s camp, a group that includes Rule 5 pick Ka’ai Tom, Seth Brown and Luis Barrera. Second baseman Tony Kemp hits lefthanded, as do catcher Austin Allen and utility infielder Vimael Machin. Also, second baseman Jed Lowrie, a switchhitter, will compete for a roster spot on a minorleague deal.
Briefly: Reliever Sergio Romo, whose oneyear deal with the A’s became official Thursday, took the 40man roster spot of infielder Nate Orf, who retired. … Melvin said lefthander Reymin Guduan, a nonroster invitee who has pitched in the majors for the Astros, stood out during side sessions Thursday: “Really live arm, looks like he has a good breaking ball too — it’s going to be about throwing strikes for him.” … Lefthander Nik Turley, acquired from Pittsburgh this winter, and righthander Wandisson Charles also looked sharp, Melvin said.