Veteran Mitch Moreland is another first base option the New York Mets have considered for a short-term fix according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports.
Heyman goes on to say that Moreland isn’t “especially likely” per a a source he talked to but it’s pretty evident that the Mets are looking under every rock for first base.
Moreland, 32, hit .246/.326/.443 with 99 OPS+, 34 doubles, 22 home runs and 79 RBI in 149 games for the Boston Red Sox during the 2017 season. He had the second highest WAR of his career at 2.0 and had 10 defensive runs saved at first.
The left-handed hitter slashed .246/.324/.460 against righties last year and has a career .779 OPS vs right-handed pitchers in his career.
Pro debut struggles from Dominic Smith, as well as conditioning issues, have the Mets concerned about him being a starter on a team that wants to contend in 2018.
Heyman also passes this along in the article, “Some Mets people also believe they’d rather sign a short-term first baseman since they haven’t lost complete faith in Dominic Smith. They do, however, believe Smith needs to get into shape.”
The Mets have already been tied to Eric Hosmer, Carlos Santana, Jay Bruce and Adam Lind to varying levels this offseason as they look for a first baseman or right fielder that can play first.
