Mitch Moreland will be back for at least a fourth season in Boston, as the Red Sox announced Tuesday that he’s been re-signed to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2021 season. The BASH Baseball client will reportedly be guaranteed $3MM in the form of a $2.5MM salary in 2020 and a $500K buyout on a $3MM option for the 2021 season. Right-hander Denyi Reyes has been designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster, per the Red Sox.
This marks the third time that Moreland, 34, has signed a free-agent deal with the Red Sox. Since signing in Boston prior to the 2017 season, he’s delivered a .247/.326/.455 slash with 56 home runs, 74 doubles and five triples. Most of that damage from the left-handed-hitting Moreland has come against right-handed pitching, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see right-handed-hitting Michael Chavis pair with him at the position.
Beyond his respectable contributions at the plate, Moreland is renowned for his defensive prowess at first base. Defensive metrics suggested that Moreland took a step back in his age-33 season, though most measures of his glovework still pegged him as a roughly average defender at the position, and his track record is quite strong overall. Given that he’ll come at such an affordable rate not only in 2020 but potentially in 2021, Moreland is a sensible re-signing even at a time when the Red Sox are striving to lower their luxury tax commitments.
Like fellow offseason pickup Jose Peraza, Moreland will count $3MM against the Red Sox’ luxury ledger in 2020. With Moreland back in the fold, Boston’s bottom-line payroll checks in at roughly $236MM, per Jason Martinez of Roster Resource. Their luxury tax commitments, meanwhile, exceed the $208MM threshold by more than $31MM now that Moreland is set to return.
As for the 23-year-old Reyes, he was added to the 40-man roster last winter as the Red Sox sought to protect themselves against losing him in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft. At that time, Reyes had wrapped up a standout season that saw him post a combined 1.97 ERA with a superlative 145-to-19 K/BB ratio in 155 1/3 innings as a 21-year-old between Class-A and Class-A Advanced.
Reyes turned in a 4.16 ERA (3.69 FIP) against older competition in a pitcher-friendly Double-A setting this past season, albeit with a diminished 6.9 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and 32.1 percent grounder rate. New chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom apparently wasn’t as bullish on the right-hander as the prior regime, and the Sox will have a week to either trade Reyes, place him on outright waivers or release him.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the signing.
Good small move but now for the first time I’m thinking Holt might not be back. Hoping I’m wrong because I think with 26 players, the need for both lefties regardless of positions is still there.
I’ll miss Holt, I’ve always been a big fan.
I love how he was a throw in in that nauseating Hanrahan deal and he ended up being such an important part of so many solid teams for us.
Agreed. I still recall the way Holt was yo-yoed between Fenway and Pawtucket that first year. He looked overwhelmed at the plate then but hustled his butt from day one and worked his way up to being a relevant contributor.
Drivin’ round in Jon Voight’s car
Love it.
Lame. They had a chance to get an impact bat and they failed. Would’ve been better off trading for Dom Smith or Josh Naylor.
What would you have proposed in trade for Smith?
Minor leaguers. Lefty Jay Groome and Center Fielder Gilberto Jimenez. You have to give up something when you get a good looking bat with control
I wouldn’t give up on Groome yet.
Just remember Smith looked good last year when the ball was juiced. Definitely a good throw in but not someone I’d give up a former first round pick for even Groome who hasn’t yet shown anything resembling his pre-draft ability (regardless of reason).
Depth at best. They should’ve added someone better
As far as depth goes, this is a good re-sign.
Wow two cringe inducing comments back to back.
mattblaze13 What do you want them to do? Trading more prospects now would make no sense. They aren’t a win now team this year. It’s reload time but for now their stuck. Not much they can do with all that money still tied up in last years 84 win roster. Only a matter of time till Betts is traded.
Prospects come and go year to year. I understand that there are cases where teams get embarrassed trading prospects. I but right now I don’t think the Red Sox have any diamonds in the minors. The pennypinching is never going to stop with the Mets so clearing out a guy who needs to play while getting lotto tickets doesn’t seem that bad to me. For the sox to get a lefty bat that they don’t have to pay millions of dollars and they can just put him in the 5 spot would definitely help the offense and luxury tax number. One trend I have seen is that every team at one point or another is really scared to make a trade. Everyone involved has such a big ego that no one wants to get embarrassed. The GM’s literally after have to have the guts to make a trade which is why they don’t happen often enough.
Put Smith in the 5 spot? Even if Mookie gets traded, there has to be better protection for whomever is 4th (I’m assuming the lineup gets shuffled if Mookie leaves).
While they may be attempting to retool, this is still very much a win now team. Any time Sale is healthy this team is a win now team.
No reason to write off the Red Sox this year, especially if they hold Mookie and Price. They just have greater variability in performance than alot of teams due to a lack of depth. We’ve seen both the ceiling and floor for them the last 2 years.
Honestly this took too long, great to see him back
Yeah good small move by the Sox lets see what else they do the rest of the offseason?
red sox 4th place this year
Cool, tell me the lotto numbers too, smarty pants.
True, but at least they don’t spend like the Rays.
would you rather have a 96 win team that spends nothing or a 84 win team that spent the most out of everyone? i think its criminal the way teams like the Rays, Pirates, Orioles, dont spend but i’d still take the former
Rays have been an exception, teams have to spend (not necessarily to the extent Boston has recently but still spend) to win consistently.
I would rather have a team that wins a championship about once every 5 years or so, regardless of what happens in between them, than to have a sorry excuse of an organization like the Rays penny pinch every fan favorite out the door before they’re even through with arbitration just so they can occasionally stockpile enough prospects to mature at the same time so that they can lose a 5 game series in front of a half empty stadium, but thanks.
@ Dirty….Yes, I would Rather have a team that wins the World Series every four or five years than one who is lauded for their cheapness and cowbell gimmicks to win
And has never won anything
The Red Sox Faye this year is not on little moves like this, as a matter fact it’s not about any offensive moves at all. It’s all about the pitchers if Sale, Price, Eovaldi and Edro are healthy and pitch well they will compete for the division. If they don’t then no matter what offense they put out there won’t matter. So no you don’t trade Groome and Jimenez mattblaze for another offensive piece. It’s very simple with Boston those guys have to be healthy and pitch.
“Fate”
If everything that could go wrong does, like happened last year, sure. If all our players are healthy and playing up to their abilities, well, you saw in 2018 how that worked out. I’ll split the difference and say my expectation is 90-95 wins and a top 2 finish in the division.
What you saw in 2018 was a team that cheated
And you obviously don’t understand the concept of major league baseball putting a video monitor in every dugout in baseball except for Houston, what do you think they thought was gonna happen? Send a batter back there to look at his last at bat? Can he study that without seeing the signs?
Nice!!!
A good signing for the money.
So basically a fraction of what Hosmer is earning and superior production. Thanks Preller.
Welcome back Mitch dude’s a decent player. Now chavis to second fulltime and Peraza in a utility role.Please move Betts already
Mitch can’t play full time due to his inability to hit lefties consistently and injuries.
Moreland/Chavis is about to be a RHP/LHP platoon at first. Second will likely be a pupu platter of Peraza, Chatham, and Lin, and maybe Chavis will see some action there on days where the platoon advantage gives Moreland the nod at first but Chavis is on a tear and the other guys in the 2b mix aren’t. Or who knows, maybe Dalbec seizes the job in ST.
I like Mitch n very happy they resigned him. But wasn’t that Myers a 1st baseman? But I guess he plays the outfield, but no where close I think, as Mookie does. The RS need to get at least one good prospect.
An indication more than anything else that bloom/red sox really don’t care to have myers on the team, and reinforcing he would probably be a trade and release part of any deal.
SD covers enough of the deal that no lux tax baggage attaches to the release most likely.
Moreland – more production, better in the clutch, better defense, and better clubhouse presence than myers at under 3m/yr.
I don’t think so.
If they trade Betts, they may also trade JBJ (try to get under the tax).
Myers platoon in LF, Margot in CF, Benny in RF, JDM at DH and LF
This deal only happens if the Sox also pick up Quantrill/Campusano and another prospect AND SD pays down more than half of the Myers contract.
Losing Mookie they will need JBJ more than ever. With a weak RF Benni n JBL will prolly die of exhaustion by 1/2 yr chasing down balls.
surefire if they were ever that serious about getting under the tax they could and should (and hopefully would) have non tendered JBJ when they had the chance. They’re going to have to pay down a few million on his salary to make anyone want to trade for him, so the maximum savings would have been achieved by just cutting him loose.
If they are or were seriously considering moving a player as vital to the club’s success next season as Betts or Price, then that team doesn’t need Jackie either so I don’t know what they were thinking by keeping him if they’re serious about a luxury tax reset.
The 2020 Marcel projections for Wil Myers and Mitch Moreland:
WM 426 PA, .244/.322/.444/.765
MM 413 PA, .243/.320/.451/.771
Moreland’s numbers with Boston and Myers’ over the same period:
MM 1370 PA, .251/.319/.444/.763, OPS+ 101
WM 1482 PA, .244/.323/.444/.786, OPS+ 105
The one-time All Stars are separated by five years in age.
pasha, the Padres talk was more likely to get the Dodgers back in play.
Should have grabbed Shaw instead.
Did you look at Shaw’s numbers last year?
He’s better than that and ripe for a bounce back. Moreland won’t stay healthy.
I bet Pedroia’s setback made the decision to re-sign Moreland easier because now Chavis will have to play a lot more 2B than 1B.
No one ever expected Dusty to be back. Just a media campaign to ensure people don’t start hating Dusty while he’s getting paid to not play. The BoSox make sure their legends maintain their image. Probably the best organization in the league at controlling the narrative. Look how they protected poppy from a PED focus. And how they stole signs, used tech watches to relay it to hitters, and never got the Astro villain treatment.
E Peedy earned the respect he has now from the fans with his hard unselfish play. He’s tried hard to come back only to fail. You can blame some of his injury with the mean spirited slide by Machado. That was the final insult sending outta play. He’s earned my support, n most fans.
Agreed, I don’t need PR fluff campaigns. He’s earned every bit of my respect that he has. Guy is tough as nails. Hoping he can beat the odds one last time for a comeback, but sadly not holding my breath on it. He deserves to go out on a higher note than he got.
I will take it.
Mitchy Two Bags!
So another luxury tax payroll for a losing team, keep it up sox, us Yankee fans are running low on underwear.
It’s 3MM.
The Sox can afford it for a platoon 1B.
Nice job Boston
They need Mooreland’s glove; the Sox IF defensively is from hunger. Devers and Chavis are hideous; Bogie’s a little bit better, he’s just terrible. Good signing.
What are you talking about? Devers defense the second half was extremely good compared to the first. As for Bogie, he is as solid as a SS as you can find. As for Chavis, as a rookie playing a position he didn’t come up in in the minors… he made some pretty great plays so I don’t get what you mean. Yes, moreland is a great defensive first baseman, but the Red Sox infield is far better than you give them credit for.
The Red Sox defense is way worse than you’re giving them credit for. Devers having an improved second half is still far below average. Bogarts is average at best with the glove but has no range. He looks ok at short because at least he makes the plays right at him (as opposed to Devers) but I wouldn’t put him at anything above a B- SS. Chavis has always been criticized for his fielding skills and that was before he got moved all around the diamond. I actually thought poor infield defense was a very under talked about part of the Red Sox season last year. So many times I would watch a game and see them only get one out on what should have been a double play ball or see a ball get through the infield that should have been stopped. It definitely helped drive pitch counts up for the starters which meant exposing the weak pen. Obviously the starters had their own set of issues last season but I genuinely don’t think the infield did them any favors.
Bob you obviously never watched the games. Devers n X man were terrific. I like itch I just hope he stays healthy cuz he’s terrific when healthy.
Now to bring back the Brockstar!!!!!!!
Glad he’s back , we’re gonna be a force to be reckoned with WS or bust!!
Very unhappy to see Denyi Reyes DFA’d without getting a chance while they cling to other pitchers who don’t seem to be worth a 40-man slot. No, he doesn’t have “stuff,” but he doesn’t give out free passes, either, as opposed to everyone else in this bullpen. I hope all the FOs pass on Reyes and he is outrighted to the minors, but I fear he’ll be claimed like Lakins or traded like the catcher Nunez, two minor leaguers who could still have been assets to this team.
Seriously, Horace, I have seen more than enough of Colten Brewer for my lifetime, what could they have possibly seen in him that they want to keep him around?
I love how 46 minutes later and no comments.
My take 1 of this is Mookie or Price is 100% gone now-
Probably puts to bed any Will Meyers fantasies Pads fans had, Although I think those reports were just to Drum up Lad and any other mystery team- Still could be the pads but its gonna take more than that offer minus Meyers-
Interesting opportunity here for someone like the Angels or Twins to get Price at perhaps around 16mill for 3 years with minimal prospects going back- Guess it all comes down to teams faith in Price at this point –
LAD still makes the most sense – They could keep it simple with just Mookie for Joc + prospects shedding/adding the 20 mill mill both teams would require to get/stay under tax Or
The best option Lad could do, but probably wont, would be too to take Price and Betts go over the tax and significantly save on prospect capital heading to Bos – They can probably even get Pollock off this way as well-
THIS is a PERFECT TIME to use that money as a FLEX, your opponents on the ropes you dont get these opportunities often – As a big market team this is exactly when you swoop in
Sox wouldnt touch May Verdugo or Lux in this scenario prospect wise/ best theyd get would proably be Ruiz and 10-15 +lottery or a mix of some pitching Maeda strip Gonsolin White etc with maybe Diego Cartaya –
They have said they would go over this year what whats its worth, why not do it here where its a close-out sale prices
what does a cheap platoon 1B have to do with Price and Betts?
Money allocation – I wouldn’t be surprised if 1 or both were gone by Super Bowl
They are preparing for life after
JD I think you’re overthinking this. Moreland is simply a depth move, bat off the bench. They like him and are familiar with him. This certainly has no bearing on a mookie betts trade. The two situations literally have nothing to do with each other!
This move has absolutely nothing to do with Betts and Price.
Yea! Good move. Now bring back the Brockstar too.
Nobody is trading for betts with price and the 59m price tag. Would cost the dodgers even more then that when you add in pushing them over the luxury tax. Even if they take back pollock.
Moreland signing doesnt mean anything at 3m per year. Will not be a factor in any betts trade.
Yes it would cost more in dollars and less in talent, thats my point- Which is more important these days?
They have said they would go over the tax this year for what thats worth
There would be no easier route to this type of talent at this point without giving up 3 times the value in prospects – This is what big market teams should be dreaming of not running away from
I dont view the tax line as the big bad boogie man here, they re-coup the pick if Mookie walks and the amount of money is beans in the whole scheme of things to this team-
That’s such nonsense.
This whole Mookie trade thing is just a smokescreen so that it looks like Mr Bloom is ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING besides simply scaling back the fringe guy’s salaries–see : Johnson, Moreland, Polo, etc
How the $)$/&!!? is Ryan Weber and his lack of options and pitching ability still on this team?!?!
Because he is better than 90% of the scrubs the Sox have in the BP right now. He is going to be Mr Bloom’s opener !!
I hope Holt stays with the Sox somebody with his talent at almost all positions and to get the production out of him when most of the time he’s brought in for only one at bat or after having several days off is priceless
I’d hate to see it, but I think Greg Bird would be a great player for the Sox to take a flyer on. Give him a shot to be healthy and you can have a star player at first on the cheap
someone will claim Reyes
Agree.
Moreland’s been solid for the Red Sox the past three seasons so it’s not terrible to bring him back. Numbers are similar to Myers at a fraction of the cost and if they do trade Betts for Myers Myers can play the OF for a year. Plus as one poster already mention allows Chavis to play 2B and Peraza to bench.
This is going to be a different RS org. Players and fans need to know Bloom will be tweaking daily through the season. His philosophy will be pretty obvious when we see what comes back from Mookie. Personally I want Major league players with time and talent. Wil Myers or Joe Pederson–are both Major Leaguers that may just need a change of scenery. either of those guys in the 6,7 or 8 slot could be a tough out for opposing pitchers.
Wil Myers has not reached stardom at any point in his career. He’s not worth what he’s being paid and will entangle us even more than Betts.
Does he even have the range to play at Fenway park?
I think Myers platoons @ 1B with Moreland and plays LF with Benney moving to CF.and JBJ, if still here, goes to the larger area– RF.
This gives Chavis more time to concentrate on 2 B.
This signing probably ends any chance of a Mookie to SD trade since there is nowhere to play Myers now and SD is not trading for Mookie if Myers is not in the deal. Mr Bloom continues to grind the role player’s $$ downward but has still NOTHING to address the cap issue. He is a total zero so far.
Doesn’t mean anything
Completely agreed. Peraza is a complete downgrade from Holt as well. Bloom has done a horrendous job so far. He can’t choose a direction.
Bloom is a Rube Goldberg Cheap Fox type guy. This crap might be okay in Tampa which is a B Baseball City where they are lucky to draw 7,000 a night. This type of Cheap Fix let’s see what sticks to the wall after we throw it is not going to work in a major market Baseball City like Boston
Bloom is a Rube Goldberg Cheap Fox type guy. This crap might be okay in Tampa which is a B Baseball City where they are lucky to draw 7,000 a night. This type of Cheap Fix let’s see what sticks to the wall after we throw it is not going to work in a major market Baseball City like Boston
That’s my friend Mitch! Mitch-a-palooza!
Betts/Price for Maeda/Pollock. Get it done.
Somehow being paid less than Travis Shaw. Good signing for the Red Sox.
Betts for Senzel and Aquino.
So we couldn’t afford Shaw and we won’t resign Holt, but we are okay with Moreland? Moreland isn’t a bad player but at this point he’s a reserve and Holt has so much more versatility. We will be at a loss without Holt. IMO Peraza was the dumbest move.
I don’t in any way shape or form see Wil Myers in a Red Sox uniform and I haven’t given up on Holt coming back. You have to be patient and see what happens. Bloom is a very smart man and a team player. He’s the best since Theo. He will take his time and get it right.
He’s got a lot to prove.
With Moreland coming back, there is no way they are going to take on Will Myers and that ridiculous contract San Diego has for him. No Way!! This is why I do not believe this Mookie Betts trade rumor to Sand Diego BS.
When will you guys give up on Holt? Going to get 8-10 mil. RS is trying/going to cut payroll not add to it. MOVE ON ALREADY
Would you take Holt overJBJ?
If you gave Holt 3 yrs. $20 M or renegotiate with JBJ 3 Yrs $20 M–which player would you prefer? Load both deals with incentives to a max of $20 M. You can’t keep both-which one do you keep?
JBJ will give you .225, 15-20 HR’s, 50-60 RBI. He will improve as he ages and will become more patient at the plate. and give you stellar defense.
Brock is Brock the energized bunny –you know his info–I’m shocked he hasn’t signed with a NL team for his versatility and offensive/ defensive stats.
He must have a big asking price.