Red Sox need some roster exit velocity to jettison underachievers

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox watches batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on September 5, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox watches batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on September 5, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Steve Pearce #25 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his eighth inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce

Both are done after 2019 and become free agents. Steve Pearce has contributed nothing this season and sits on a $6.25 MM contract that has produced a lone home run and a batting average that makes Sandy Leon look like a real hitter. Age, poor performance, and injury at 37-years-old means retirement.

Two things regarding Mitch Moreland: Moreland will hit and Moreland will get injured. Moreland has accomplished both in 2019 so he has continued to be consistent. With a contract of $6.5 MM to expire, Moreland’s days in Boston will end. Maybe an early gift and release Moreland so he could hook up with a contender.

Moreland carries a good glove – once winning a Gold Glove – and certainly has his moments with the stick, but at 34-years-old the Red Sox options look longingly to youth such as Michael Chavis who provides what Moreland does with more defensive versatility.

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