Free Agent Fridays: Looking Into the Mitch Moreland Rumors
Even though the Pirates are in the middle of a rebuild, General Manager Ben Cherrington said the team is still in on some free agents. In his later press conference, he said "We expect to add players to the Big League roster before Spring Training begins. We have oars in the water." So far in his tenure as GM, Cherrington has done what he said he was going to do, and that is acquiring talent for the organization. So, there is no doubt that the rumors have been swirling about who the Pirates are interested in. The latest rumor is surrounding a slugger who would bring both a veteran presence and a potential power bat to the Pirates bench.
Moreland spent last season with the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres and appeared in 42 games hitting .265 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI. At 35-years-old, Moreland doesn't exactly fit the young talent description, but he would provide some much-needed depth at first base. As of now, Colin Moran is the starting first baseman, and the only other players on the roster who can play first are Phillip Evans and Michael Perez. And combined, the duo has a total of five games played at the position. Moreland would provide a veteran presence to help Moran along, and it could help him rejuvenate his career and get back on track. We dive into Moreland's history and how he would fit into the 2021 Pirates team.
2020: A Tale of Two Seasons
The 2020 season was an interesting one for Moreland, as he played for two different teams and had two completely different results. He got off to a hot start with the Red Sox, hitting .328 with eight home runs and 21 RBI over his first 22 games played. He was still showing the good power he had shown throughout his career and his strikeout rate was down to around 22%. Of his 12 extra-base hits during the year, eight of them were home runs as he was mashing the ball. Motel and has always been a sure-handed defender at first base and that stayed true in Boston where he posted a .993 fielding percentage. However, the Red Sox were falling further and further out of competition, and Moreland was seen as a trade asset.
They ended up trading him to the San Diego Padres right before the August 31st trade deadline in return for Minor Leaguers Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario. For the Padres, the move brought them a power-hitting first baseman that would help their offense down the stretch. However, things didn't go as planned in the regular season as Moreland went into a deep slump at the plate. He hit just .203 for the Padres down the stretch with two home runs and eight RBI. He continued to keep his strikeout numbers low, with a rate of 19.1%, and he tallied seven total extra-base hits. The Padres ended up making the playoffs and they would turn to Moreland for leadership, as he was making his eighth trip to the playoffs.
Moreland appeared in four games between the two playoff series and hit well going 4-8 (.500) with an RBI. The problem was that three of his four hits were singles and he ended up leaving five men on base. The Padres, unfortunately, fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series ending their season. When all was said and done, the Padres decided to decline Moreland's 2021 option, making him a free agent. At 35-years-old, Moreland still showed that he has the ability to hit the ball over the wall, and the fact that his strikeout rate is down is a big plus. He also plays solid defense and could benefit as a veteran presence on a young team or a power bat on a team looking to make a run.
How Does He Fit in Pittsburgh?
The problem with enticing Moreland to come to Pittsburgh is the fact that there is no guarantee he would start every day. As of right now, Colin Moran is the team's starting first baseman and after a breakout year, there really isn't any changing that. Unless the Designated Hitter is back in the National League, it is likely that if Moreland were to sign here, he would most likely be a power bat off the bench. At 35-years-old that might not be the most enticing option for Moreland, but it would give him a chance to help Moran and some of the other young guys along as they develop. However, he would give the Pirates another power bat that they so desperately need.
Moreland has never had a season where he hit less than 10 home runs, and with the 22-foot high wall in right field, he could have a field day at PNC Park. His decreased strikeout rate last year is a positive sign that he is showing more plate discipline and getting better pitches to hit. If he can split time with Moran during the season and hit at least 10 home runs, that could give the Pirates a strong 1-2 punch at first base. Plus, if Moreland does well, he is another player that the Pirates could flip at the deadline for more prospects to help the rebuild. Cherrington has said he is looking to acquire talent, and Moreland is a guy who could help the Pirates now and in the future.
However, the big question with Moreland is how much would it cost to put him in a Pirates uniform. Last off-season, the Red Sox were able to retain Moreland on a one-year three million dollar deal to keep him in Boston. This is a very affordable price for the Pirates and would give them a proven power bat to turn to off the bench. If the Pirates could ink a similar deal, it might be a nice buy for a team that has lacked power. It doesn't cost much and he can come in and mentor this team of up and coming prospects. The pitch the Pirates could make is that they can put him in position to be on a winner by the end of the season even if that team is not the Pirates. At 35-years old, Moreland is looking to continue what has been an 11-year career, and Pittsburgh might be the place to allow him to make that next step.
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