MLB Free Agency: Under the Radar Options Across the Infield
By Matt Meffe
Mitch Moreland (First Base)
Free agent first basemen include Edwin Encarnacion, Ryan Howard, Mike Napoli, and James Loney. All of those players have established themselves in their careers. Mitch Moreland has also established himself despite showing some inconsistencies.
Moreland has a power bat, combined with a Gold Glove defense. He is also younger than all of the free agents listed before, which makes signing him more feasible and more possible. Moreland is coming off a down year offensively, but an up year defensively. If he can combine the two, he can be a first baseman to watch down the road.
The 2016 season was Moreland’s third 20-home run season. However, his batting average dropped 45 points from last year, and despite playing in more games, he accumulated less hits and more strikeouts. Offensively, Moreland has been inconsistent throughout his career, but his defensive improvement is something to praise.
Moreland led American League first basemen in fielding percentage (.998) in 2016. With that one-two combination of a power offense with an improving defense, Moreland could prove to be a key signing on any team. There are some teams that lack a first baseman, and with Moreland on the rise, there could be many options for Moreland.
Possible suitors: TEX, HOU, MIA, PIT, TOR, CLE, BOS