Mitch Moreland Heads Back to Boston
Today, the Boston Red Sox came to terms with a familiar face in first baseman, Mitch Moreland. The news was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on Twitter and was later confirmed directly through the Boston Red Sox Twitter account.
🗣 BACK FOR MORE(LAND)! pic.twitter.com/5EnSA8UVIe
— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 29, 2020
Moreland has spent the last three seasons with the Red Sox. During those three seasons, Moreland slashed: .247/.326/.455 over the span of 1,370 plate appearances with 56 home runs, 205 RBI, and 141 walks. Additionally, Moreland combined for a 4.1 Wins Above Replacement value and a Runs Above Replacement Level of 40.
Over those three seasons, the most notable year for Moreland came in 2018 when the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. That was the season when Moreland earned his first All-Star nod and a year in which he had an OPS+ of 102.
Value of Mitch Moreland
From the outside, this deal might look like a minor one for the Red Sox. However, when factoring in the tangibles of Moreland into the equation, it’s easy to see why it’s a very good one for the team.
One of the biggest things that Moreland brings to the Red Sox is veteran leadership. Moreland is entering his eleventh big league season having gained valuable knowledge about baseball during his career. In turn, the knowledge and experience that Moreland has, can be valuable for some of the team’s young position players. That would include third baseman Rafael Devers and utilityman Michael Chavis.
Furthermore, besides veteran leadership, Moreland can serve as an excellent mentor for the Red Sox. Currently, their two top prospects include first and third baseman, Triston Casas and Bobby Dalbec. Both Cases and Dalbec will likely play a significant role for the Red Sox in the future. Once either of them are called up to join the big league team, Moreland can inject his knowledge of the game onto them.
Finally, with the re-signing of Mitch Moreland, the Red Sox get themselves a left-handed bat that can produce at a high level. The team already had three left-handed hitters in outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Beintendi as well as the aforementioned, Rafael Devers. However, more balance throughout the lineup never hurts nor does the type of production that Moreland is capable of putting up.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the Boston Red Sox have yet to make a significant splash this offseason. However, the team has worked around the seams to try to add reinforcements and this is one example. Both Moreland and the Red Sox are familiar with one another. Therefore, it makes sense for Moreland to stay with the team as they look to bring another World Series Championship to Boston.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
