San Diego Padres: Team undecided on picking up Mitch Moreland’s option

The San Diego Padres acquired Mitch Morelan at the trade deadline in the 2020 season. Now, his future seems tied to the future of the universal DH.

Due to the introduction of the designated hitter to the National League in 2020, the San Diego Padres had the luxury of trading for Mitch Moreland, despite having an everyday first baseman in Eric Hosmer. At the time, it was a no brainer move. Bring an offensive weapon from the left side in to backup Hosmer at first while being able to get him every day at bats as the DH.

But now, the Padres have a decision to make. With no certainty on whether the DH will carry over into the 2021 season, they have to decide if they will pick up Moreland’s $3,000,000 option or buy him out at $500,000.

In an interview with Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, General Manager A.J. Preller noted that Moreland’s future may be decided by whether the NL retains the Designated Hitter position. On the subject, Preller stated “It would help a little bit having a sense of if there is a DH or not. We’ll try to get a sense of budget and try to get a sense of where he fits in.”

That makes it sound like we can simplify this to “yes DH, Moreland stays, no DH, Moreland goes”. Not that $3,000,000 is an outrageous price for Moreland, but it’s likely more than Preller is willing to spend on a player that will only see time on Hosmer’s off days. And that $3,000,000 could go to better use strengthening the pitching staff. Moreland is an excellent hitter, but it’s a waste of a roster spot if you can’t actually play him.

However, the DH is probably going to become part of the National League full time. It’s long overdue that pitchers stop hitting. They’re just no match for their counterparts in today’s era. Sure, in the early 20th century when relievers were moonlighting as plumbers, athletic pitchers stood a chance.

But now, organizations have recently drafted high schoolers gassing triple digits in rookie ball. Pitchers quite simply don’t have the time to learn how to hit that. And having an automatic out in the lineup isn’t helping the game grow.

So the smart money would be on Moreland returning in 2021 as the designated hitter, occasionally getting some time at first base to give Hosmer a break. But Preller can’t exercise a $3,000,000 option until he knows for sure that he can get Moreland at bats.