MLB Rumors: Red Sox Pursuing Mitch Moreland, Are ‘Clear Front-Runner’ To Sign FA

The Boston Red Sox already made one splash Tuesday, and they might not be done.

The Red Sox are actively pursuing Mitch Moreland and are the “clear front-runner” to sign the free agent first baseman, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Tuesday. The Cleveland Indians also are in the mix for Moreland, per Wilson. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal confirmed Boston’s interest in Moreland, via a source.

Source confirms: #RedSox strongly in mix for Mitch Moreland. First reported: @JeffWilson_FWST.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016

Moreland has spent his entire seven-year career with the Texas Rangers, batting .233 last season with 22 home runs and 60 RBIs in 147 games. The 31-year-old is a career .254 hitter but has shown impressive pop of late, hitting 20-plus homers in three of the last four seasons. He also is an excellent defensive first baseman, winning his first Gold Glove award in 2016.

Moreland, Wilson writes, would fill Boston’s needs for a first baseman and a left-handed bat. The Red Sox traded away a potential first base option Tuesday in Travis Shaw, leaving Hanley Ramirez as the only player at the position. The Sox also lost a major source of left-handed power this offseason when David Ortiz retired.