It seemed like just a matter of time. Tuesday the time officially came.
The Red Sox announced they have re-signed first baseman Mitch Moreland. It is a one-year deal worth $3 million with a $3 million club option for 2021. The designated righty pitching prospect Denyi Reyes for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for the 34-year-old
It marks the third time the Red Sox have signed Moreland as a free agent. He is going into his fourth season with the Sox, having totaled a combined .242 batting average and .782 OPS with 56 homers over the three-year stretch. Moreland is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he appeared in just 91 games, hitting 19 homers with an .835 OPS.
The fit is a logical one with the Red Sox carrying two young first base options in Michael Chavis and Bobby Dalbec, both of whom would seemingly complement the left-handed-hitting Moreland from the right side.
As for where this puts the Red Sox in terms of the well-documented hunt to get their payroll under $208 million, according to Jason Martinez of Roster Resource the Moreland deal push the Sox payroll to $236 million.
