*Photo from the Boston Globe*
The Boston Red Sox have signed 1B Mitch Moreland to a one year, $3 million deal, according to the team. There is a team option for the 2021 season. Moreland will earn $2.5 million in 2020, and the option is worth $3 million with a $500,000 buyout, guaranteeing Moreland $3 million. If the option is exercised, Moreland could max out the contract at two years and $5.5 million.
Moreland missed a chunk of time in 2019 due to back and quad injuries but was still productive when healthy, hitting .252 with 19 homers and 58 RBI in 91 games. In his 10 year major league career, Moreland is a .251 hitter with 166 homers and 559 RBI split between 7 years with the Texas Rangers and 3 with the Red Sox. Moreland's lefty bat can compliment right handed slugger Michael Chavis at first base, and potentially top prospect Bobby Dalbec as well. Moreland has spent the last 3 years with Boston, and is a well respected veteran in their clubhouse. He came up big for the Red Sox in game 4 of the 2018 World Series, hitting a 3 run homer to cut the deficit to one run against the Dodgers, a game the Red Sox ended up winning. The Red Sox won the world series the next night with a 5-1 win in game 5.
Moreland's signing comes in an uncertain offseason for the Red Sox, who seem to want to cut overall payroll while trying to compete in 2020 as well. However, owner John Henry denied earlier in the winter that they are putting slashing payroll above competing in 2020. Boston's offseason has also been shadowed with rumors that they are going to trade 2018 MVP Mookie Betts. The Red Sox have signed several low priced players this offseason to try and plug holes. Those guys have been Moreland, Trevor Hildenberger, Martin Perez, Kevin Plawecki, and Jose Peraza.
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