Report: Moreland Agrees To Deal With Red Sox
By: Josh Clark
DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Free agent first baseman Mitch Moreland has reached a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Moreland has spent his entire seven-year career in Texas. His most productive season came in 2015 when he hit .278 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs.
Moreland had a typical up and down season in 2016. He hit just .233 to go with 22 home runs and 60 RBIs, however, he won the gold glove for best defensive first baseman in the American League.
It was known that Texas didn't have much of an interest in bringing back the Mississippi State product this off-season. Texas has been focused on beefing up their rotation and filling their void in center field. Ian Desmond and Carlos Gomez are also free agents and the club does have an interest in bringing them back. Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton is among others to be rumored to interest Texas for their center field opening.
Ranger general manager Jon Daniels told reporters Monday that the club could go with internal options to fill the void at first base. Jurickson Profar, Ryan Rua & Joey Gallo would be among the favorites if Texas were to go that route.
Texas will have to get some power in this lineup if they want to contend in 2017. The club has now lost Moreland, Carlos Beltran (Astros), and Prince Fielder's career has ended. Combine that with Desmond and Gomez potentially leaving in free agency and the Rangers suddenly have a big problem on their hands.
The good news for the Rangers is there's eight weeks left in free agency, so anything can happen.
