Red Sox Reportedly Agree To Deal With Mitch Moreland
BOSTON (CBS) -- After filling a need in their bullpen on Tuesday morning, and adding a major piece later in the day in starter Chris Sale, it appears the Red Sox have now added another bat to their lineup.
With Travis Shaw part of the package Boston sent to Milwaukee for reliever Tyler Thornburg, the Red Sox reportedly added first baseman Mitch Moreland to the mix.
Earlier in the day, Jeff Wilson of The Star Telegram reported that the Red Sox and Moreland were on the cusp of a deal.
Tuesday night, Ken Rosenthal reported that a deal had been reached.
The Cleveland Indians had also shown interest in Moreland this offseason, according to Wilson.
The 31-year-old Moreland fits the mold of the "lefty bat who can play first base" that Dave Dombrowski was reportedly seeking. A seven-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Texas Rangers, Moreland has hit .254 to go with a .315 OBP and .753 OPS, averaging about 15 homers per season.
He had his best year at the plate in 2015 when he posted career-highs with a .278 average with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs. His offensive production took a bit of a dip in 2016, hitting just .233, but he played stellar defense at first and won his first career Gold Glove award.
Moreland will likely split time with Hanley Ramirez at first, with Ramirez also likely seeing time at the now-vacant DH position.
