Boston signed Mitch Moreland on Monday afternoon, surprising basically everyone. It was the Red Sox signaling that they had their first baseman, not just for 2018, but also for 2019 if necessary, and that filling that hole with someone cost-effective for luxury tax purposes was important to them.
The Red Sox probably aren’t signing Eric Hosmer
Tuesday’s Say Hey, Baseball looks at what the Red Sox did and could do next this offseason.
Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images
Moreland wasn’t bad in 2017, but he also isn’t exciting, and considering how often the Red Sox were connected to Eric Hosmer in rumors, the combination of those two things made inking Moreland for two years a real out-of-nowhere moment. Signing Moreland says two things about Boston’s offseason. First, they probably aren’t signing Hosmer, as between Moreland, Hanley Ramirez, and Sam Travis, they have three options for first base available to them already.
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They are, however, still going to search for a bat, according to Dave Dombrowski, which means J.D. Martinez is their likely target. Dombrowski is the guy who scooped Martinez up when the Astros cut him years ago, so it makes sense that he’d once again be in on him given how well that move worked out for the Tigers. He’s also clearly the top bat on the free agent market, and with the Yankees getting Giancarlo Stanton, the lack of dingers in Boston is even more obvious.
Between Martinez and rebound seasons from some of the Red Sox regulars, they should be right there fighting for their third AL East title in a row. As for where Martinez will play, that’s a little more complicated.
The DH spot is open enough, as Moreland/Ramirez could split first base duties to keep Hanley fresh and keep Moreland around for defensive purposes and situations where his bat will work best. There is also the opportunity for Martinez to play some left field to help give the Red Sox trio of center fielders — Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley, and Mookie Betts — some chances to rest as well.
Martinez’s glove is...not good. So limiting his chances out there would be a positive. Of course, the Red Sox have to sign him first, but given the Moreland move, it sure seems like they believe they will be the ones to get Martinez.
- While we’re talking about potentially great free agents with flaws, here’s Grant Brisbee on Jake Arrieta, who doesn’t have as much of a market in front of him as he would have just a year ago.
- And now to go somewhere completely different: We’re looking for your input in this SB Nation audience survey, so if you have thoughts on what we do, good or bad, this is where you can tell us!
- Barry Bonds has baked some sourdough bread while wearing a nonsensical cooking garment.
- The Cardinals are reportedly making a play for Josh Donaldson instead of Manny Machado.
- Cole Hamels and his wife are donating a $10 million home to charity rather than selling it to get their money back.
- The Twins are reportedly serious about signing Yu Darvish, but the Cubs are thinking of swooping in, given the lack of other suitors.
- The Giants want Evan Longoria, but the Rays would have to take back some salary to do it, so...this seems unlikely.
- A Maikel Franco trade makes much more sense if the Phillies are into that plan.
- Speaking of the Phillies, they’re looking for a controllable pitcher for Christmas. Or after Christmas. Listen, so long as it’s before Opening Day, they’re good.
- J.T. Realmuto is asking for a trade so he doesn’t have to be part of the “rebuild” in Miami, and the Marlins do not care even a little bit.
- The Braves traded Matt Kemp and released Adrian Gonzalez, so what’s next?
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