Verdict?
Say what you will but Moreland was one of the leaders on this team from the start. Since the beginning, he helped in delivering back-to-back American League East Division Titles for the Red Sox for the first time ever. We’ve seen what he can do in the playoffs and hope that he can deliver in clutch moments which are almost sure to happen. Let’s just hope we get 2010 World Series Mitchy and not 2015 ALDS Mitchy for the upcoming ALDS series against the Houston Astros.
Is it entirely possible that he comes back to play at Fenway next season? Sure. Are the odds in his favor? Not likely. Dave Dombrowski might let him walk in hopes that another team takes a chance on him. If another team were to sign him, the Sox would get draft compensation and who knows? Maybe the Sox make out again just as they did when they let Beltre walk away.
Could the Sox front office go two for two in compensation selections? When you think about it, you have to hand it to GM Dave Dombrowski who made a great decision in adding Moreland. Were the adds of Moreland and Sale worth it to offset the damage done by losing Shaw? Perhaps.
His glove was better last season than this season but still made some great plays. Moreland was called upon to man arguably one of the harder positions in the game especially when you take into consideration the major problems at 3rd base for the Red Sox almost all season long. Depending on how far the team goes, his value will rise during the offseason.
His value isn’t increased due to his ability to hit doubles, home runs, and field the ball well. His value is further increased because, in a pinch, Mitchy-Two-Bags might catch you looking at a 90 mile an hour heater. If this indeed was his only season in Boston, Sox fans salute you and will rise when you return back to Fenway. Thanks, Two-Bags. For everything.
Next: Red Sox: What if Boston never overpaid to sign David Price?
Stay tuned for the next “What If” article coming out in a few weeks!