The Red Sox have re-signed Mitch Moreland to a two-year, $13 million deal to likely play first base. I don’t get why Boston needed a $13 million backup plan for the possibility that they miss out on all of the other good free agent hitters that are still available. I don’t have to. I’m required to figure out Moreland’s fantasy prospects.
The 32-year-old hit .246/.326/.443 with 22 homers for the Red Sox last season. He’s not close to being a game-changing talent and is probably replacement level. His 22 homers were tied for 26th among first basemen with Luis Valbuena and Tommy Joseph. With power up league-wide, he needs to hit more than 20 or so homers to be viable. As a first baseman, he’s probably not rosterable in all but the deepest of leagues.
If Moreland is the last position player Boston brings in, their lineup is the same as last year, with Hanley Ramirez as the designated hitter. However, I believe they are still going to improve their roster, so Moreland is probably just a $13M backup plan. This move, by itself, raises questions, which will hopefully be answered by the end of the offseason.
Previous Hot Stove Analysis
CC Sabathia Returns to Yankees
Dodgers-Braves Make Five-Player Trade
Angels in the Infield: Zack Cozart Signs with Los Angeles
Phillies Ink Carlos Santana to Three-Year Deal
Everyone’s Signing Relievers, But Who Will Close?
Cardinals Finally Get Their Marlins Outfielder
Cubs and Twins Gamble on Smyly and Pineda
Chase Headley Gets Dumped on Padres
Cubs and Cardinals Add Potential Closers
Giancarlo Stanton Joins Yankees
Welington Castillo Inks Deal with White Sox
Potential Closers Traded: Boxberger and Johnson