Red Sox: Dave Dombrowski is setting the stage for just one bat

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 23, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Boston defeated Cincinnati 5-0. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 23, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Boston defeated Cincinnati 5-0. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox may be adding only one bat of significance. Does this set the stage for a possible return of Mitch Moreland?

If you were talking with a resident of one of the floating islands of Lake Titicaca in Peru and asked what the Red Sox needed the reply would be “A big bat and preferably two.” That is the standard and accepted answer. Not one, but two. Row is certainly better than one.

“We did have some interest in (Santana), we did express that we weren’t necessarily prepared to go to the dollar amount that was there, but we did have interest in him,” Dombrowski said. “He’s a player we’ve liked. I don’t know if we’re going to sit and wait, it just depends on some different alternatives and information we get on a daily basis.” – Dave Dombrowski

Carlos Santana is gone, so that is one big bat that has vanished. Jose Abreu will cost what remains of value in a depleted farm system. Giancarlo Stanton? No chance! Never had a snowball’s chance. That narrows it down to the final two contestants – J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer. Will the prayers of Red Sox Nation be answered? Are both headed to Boston?

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The Red Sox are patient, but agent Scott Boras moves like a sloth as he knows how to wait, manipulate, and get his client’s top dollar. Boras occasionally fails, and this is one instance where he will not. No one knowing what Boston needs could fail.

The latest missive is the Red Sox are potentially facing the addition of just one bat. When Santana decided the Liberty Bell offered more than Boston Common the eventual response from Dave Dombrowski was: “weren’t necessarily prepared to go to the dollar amount that was there.” The party line is now: “focused on getting one person.”

I care not to explore the consequences of Martinez signing elsewhere. The thought of 87 wins leaves my morning coffee roll stuck in my gullet. But what about door number two? What about that other bat? Well, the way things are looking I have an eerie feeling our left-handed relief specialist Mitch Moreland will be returning to Boston.

Moreland has been quiet on the rumor mill. Moreland also has expressed a desire to return to Boston and that is starting to look like the inevitability of that death and taxes thing. So, goodbye to the extra-large helping of payroll to grab Hosmer or payroll and prospects for Abreu. Both would be upgraded – maybe even significant upgrades over Moreland.

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Moreland posted a 0.9 fWAR in 2017 (Abreu and Hosmer a 4.1 fWAR), but Moreland still provides some career consistency numbers. In 2017 Moreland slashed .246/.326/.443 with a nice 22/79 for power production. The left-hand hitting Moreland also managed a rarity for his career and hit lefties at .247 and righties at .246. But .246? Hosmer and Abreu will top that by 60+.

Defensively Moreland is an anchor with a neat 5.8 UZR/150 and six Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). Moreland also responds to the name “Two-Bags” so he knows doubles. I will say that average was a disappointment and Moreland at home hit .267 to .226 on the road. I expected more from Moreland (no apologies for that). But was it his injured toe?

I have resigned myself to a Moreland return and that may be a two-year deal for what Hosmer would get for half a season. Money to be directed elsewhere as Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, and Xander Bogaerts get closer and closer to the big cash out.

Next: Five free agents to avoid

DD is setting up RSN for the possibility our Christmas stocking will be a little lighter with only one bar arriving. And if that bat does not arrive? Enjoy second or third place.