Moreland Traded

[moonslav59]

The Padres have acquired first baseman Mitch Moreland from the Red Sox. Prospects Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario are headed to Boston in return.

[moonslav59]

MLBTR:

 

Moreland, 34, has been in Boston since the start of 2017. On the whole, he’s been a little better than average at the plate, combining for a .251/.332/.471 line (108 wRC+). He has been on an absolute tear this season, though, blasting eight home runs in 79 plate appearances en route to a .328/.430/.746 slash. Moreland has always hit the ball hard, generally avoided strikeouts and drawn his fair share of walks.

 

Like incumbent Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer, Moreland’s a left-handed bat, but he could complement right-handed hitting DH Ty France. Thanks in part to strong contributions from Hosmer and France, San Diego’s lineup has been among the best in baseball this season. Moreland is owed the balance of his $925K prorated salary and comes with an affordable $3MM club option for 2021.

 

In exchange, Boston picks up a pair of well-regarded prospects. Both Potts and Rosario were included among Baseball America’s top 30 Padre farmhands midseason. Potts, a 21-year-old third baseman, draws praise for his big-time raw power and comes with a first-round pedigree, but some scouts question his bat-to-ball skills. He performed well in the low minors, but scuffled a bit last season, when he hit .227/.290/.406 with a 28.6% strikeout rate in Double-A. In fairness, Potts was very young for that level, and the Texas League’s an extremely pitcher-friendly environment regardless.

 

Rosario, 20, was a high-priced international signee from the Pads’ vaunted 2016 J2 class. He draws ample praise for his athleticism and center field defense, although it’s up in the air how much impact he’ll make offensively despite seemingly exceptional plate discipline. Rosario has topped out at the High-A level, where he hit .242/.372/.314 with three home runs in 525 plate appearances.

 

All told, it’s a pretty strong haul for Boston, especially since Moreland’s fantastic start hadn’t helped propel them past an 11-22 record. That said, roster rules help explain why the Padres were willing to part with both players. Each needs to be added to the 40-man this offseason or else be exposed to the Rule V draft. The Pads, who continue to progress their swath of strong prospects to the high minors and above, have a seeming roster crunch incoming. The Red Sox, on the other hand, don’t have a particularly well-regarded farm system and can more easily find roster space for Potts and Rosario this offseason.

 

To clear immediate space for the prospects in their 60-man player pool, Boston released infielder Marco Hernández. The 27-year-old amassed a .265/.300/.342 line in parts of three seasons in Boston.

[moonslav59]

Rosario may end up being the defensive CF'er we need but not for a few years.

 

Potts may end up at 1B and might not be ready for a couple years.

 

I like the deal.

[Larry Cook]

Interesting that hang’em Chaim got two guts with clear warts for Moreland.

 

Does he plan to use them as filler in future trades?

 

Also interesting is two trades now and hang’em Chaim has not used the loop hole called “player to be named later”.

[jacksonianmarch]

What do you expect for a middling 34 yr old, injury prone 1b coming off a single hot month?

[moonslav59]

What do you expect for a middling 34 yr old, injury prone 1b coming off a single hot month?

 

I think we got better than most expected.

 

I wonder where they will be slotted in the Sox top 20 list.

 

Maybe this?

 

soxprospects.com with my placements:

 

1. Casa

2. Downs

3. Mata

4. Song

5. Dalbec

6. Jimenez

7. Duran

8. Groome

9. Ward

10. Potts

11. Houck

12. Yorke

13. Lugo

14. Rosario

15. Jordan

16. Chatham

17. A Ramirez

18. Murphy

19. Wong

20. Zeferjahn

 

My top 15:

1. Casas

2. Downs

3. Mata

4. Ward

5. Jimenez

6. Dalbec

7. Song

8. Potts

9. Lugo

10. Groome

11. Wong

12. Duran

13. Jordan

14. Rosario

15. Yorke/ Houck

 

Edited August 30, 2020 by moonslav59

[Larry Cook]

What do you expect for a middling 34 yr old, injury prone 1b coming off a single hot month?

 

A pitcher would have been nice.

 

But using the player to be named later loophole to get into the Padres deep prospect system would have been ideal.

[a700hitter]

What do you expect for a middling 34 yr old, injury prone 1b coming off a single hot month?

I wouldn't expect much and we got just that. I would have preferred rolling out Moreland's professional bat for the final month. How much of a travesty team does Bloom want to field in September?

[Larry Cook]

I think we got better than most expected.

 

I wonder where they will be slotted in the Sox top 20 list.

 

Maybe this?

 

soxprospects.com with my placements:

 

1. Casa

2. Downs

3. Mata

4. Song

5. Dalbec

6. Jimenez

7. Duran

8. Groome

9. Ward

10. Potts

11. Houck

12. Yorke

13. Lugo

14. Rosario

15. Jordan

16. Chatham

17. A Ramirez

18. Murphy

19. Wong

20. Zeferjahn

 

My top 15:

1. Casas

2. Downs

3. Mata

4. Ward

5. Jimenez

6. Dalbec

7. Song

8. Potts

9. Lugo

10. Groome

11. Wong

12. Duran

13. Jordan

14. Rosario

15. Yorke/ Houck

 

 

How do you feel about the kid we drafted from Arizona state (Cannon? I can’t remember his name) a year or two ago?

[moonslav59]

How do you feel about the kid we drafted from Arizona state (Cannon? I can’t remember his name) a year or two ago?

 

I'm no expert on prospects.

 

He's ranked 21st on soxprospects.com.

 

Physical Description: Undersized, compact frame. Solid athlete. Has some room to add additional strength, but close to maxed out physically.

 

Hit: Starts square and utilizes a toe-tap timing device. Plus bat speed. Short, direct swing path. Approach is raw at present. Very aggressive in the early stages of his career. Looks to attack fastballs early in the count and rarely works deep counts. Pull heavy approach at present. Has shown the tendency to expand the zone against breaking balls early in his career. Potential average hit tool. Organization is tweaking his mechanics slightly from college.

 

Power: Below-average game power. Swing lacks lift and is designed more for hard gap to gap contact than over the fence power.

 

Run: Below-average speed. Speed plays up on the base paths due to above-average instincts. Stolen bases will not be a big part of his game.

 

Arm: Fringe-average arm strength. More than adequate for second base, but a little light for the left-side of the infield.

Defense: Profiles best as a second baseman. Not out of the realm of possibility he ends up at short, but he lacks fluidity and feel at shortstop. Average range and hands are also on the rough side for shortstop. Not the most instinctual defender, has shown the tendency to let ground balls play him rather than attack the ball.

 

Career Notes: Drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 21st round of the 2016 draft, but honored his commitment to the University of Arizona. Participated in the Fall Instructional League in 2019.

 

Summation: Ceiling of a second-division bat-first regular at second base. Solid chance of developing into a bench utility player. Bat will have to carry him as defensively he doesn't project to add significant value. Needs to improve defensively and refine approach.

[Jack Flap]

If anyone was expecting more than this for Moreland, I think they need to adjust their expectations.

 

So far for Workman, Hembree, and Mitch (not exactly the most sterling trade chips in the world), Bloom has gotten 3 legitimate prospects and a reclamation project in Pivetta...hard to complain about that.

 

All hail the Bobby Dalbec era.

[moonslav59]

If anyone was expecting more than this for Moreland, I think they need to adjust their expectations.

 

So far for Workman, Hembree, and Mitch (not exactly the most sterling trade chips in the world), Bloom has gotten 3 legitimate prospects and a reclamation project in Pivetta...hard to complain about that.

 

All hail the Bobby Dalbec era.

 

He's not done: next up Perez, JBJ , Pillar and Barnes.

 

Outside moves: Vaz and JD.

 

Next summer? ERod and Eovaldi

[mvp 78]

If anyone was expecting more than this for Moreland, I think they need to adjust their expectations.

 

So far for Workman, Hembree, and Mitch (not exactly the most sterling trade chips in the world), Bloom has gotten 3 legitimate prospects and a reclamation project in Pivetta...hard to complain about that.

 

All hail the Bobby Dalbec era.

 

Mitch was signed for only $3M at the end of January. He’s never been a hot commodity. Better to move him at the height of his value.

[moonslav59]

Mitch was signed for only $3M at the end of January. He’s never been a hot commodity. Better to move him at the height of his value.

 

We should have traded Eovaldi while he was briefly healthy.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Vaz is gonna move and the return will be puzzling initially, but in time will be absolutely stellar

[notin]

We should have traded Eovaldi while he was briefly healthy.

 

Are you sure Bloom didn’t try?

[moonslav59]

Are you sure Bloom didn’t try?

 

No, but the clock was ticking on his health, and always is.

 

I'd love to know if there were any offers, and how much we were expected to pay of his remaining contract.

[Kimmi]

I wouldn't expect much and we got just that. I would have preferred rolling out Moreland's professional bat for the final month. How much of a travesty team does Bloom want to field in September?

 

I was hoping we would have Moreland for next year. Not just a professional bat, but a great clubhouse guy and a great veteran presence for our younger guys. I would have preferred to keep him.

 

That said, I can't complain about the return. It's a good return for Moreland.

[Thunder]

I'm perfectly okay with this move.

[Kimmi]

I'm perfectly okay with this move.

 

As if we didn't have enough reason to jump on the Padres bandwagon, Moreland gives us one more.

[notin]

As if we didn't have enough reason to jump on the Padres bandwagon, Moreland gives us one more.

 

Doesn't Mookie give you a little love for Dodger Blue?

[mvp 78]

The only good thing about the Dodgers was the stadium, the crisp uni's and Vin Scully. Fernando Valenzuela was dope. He's the only Dodgers player I've liked.

[notin]

The only good thing about the Dodgers was the stadium, the crisp uni's and Vin Scully. Fernando Valenzuela was dope. He's the only Dodgers player I've liked.

 

I give them credit for the best uniforms.

[Bellhorn04]

The Dodgers are a well run team under Friedman, I have to give them credit for that.

[notin]

The Dodgers are a well run team under Friedman, I have to give them credit for that.

 

Friedman might be the best GM in the game.

 

Although his job starts getting tougher when Bellinger get into arb years. He's probably already going to lose Seager after next season...

[mvp 78]

I give them credit for the best uniforms.

 

Home uni's for sure.

[Maxbialystock]

Agree with moonslav. Moreland had a spectacular start to this season, but that just gave him better trade value. Not a player to build on.

[notin]

Agree with moonslav. Moreland had a spectacular start to this season, but that just gave him better trade value. Not a player to build on.

 

Moreland just typifies the idea that everyone knows to trade a player when his value is high, but no one wants to because that means he is playing well...

[Kimmi]

Doesn't Mookie give you a little love for Dodger Blue?

 

I'm fine with the Dodgers winning the WS, but I'm pulling for the underdogs.

[notin]

I'm fine with the Dodgers winning the WS, but I'm pulling for the underdogs.

 

They’re not Yankees. That’s all that matters...