First Base
With the Sox re-signing Mitch Moreland, it would seem that the team has their starting first baseman. Moreland brings Gold Glove defense and some pop with the bat and has been a valuable member of the team since 2017.
However, he’s also 34 and coming off of a season in which he battled nagging injuries including a back issue, never a good thing for someone in their mid-30s.
The Red Sox have some interesting internal options at the position, first and foremost Michael Chavis. He spent some time at first during Moreland’s time on the injured list and played pretty well.
He’ll probably spend some time bouncing between first and second this season. They’ve also got prospects Bobby Dalbec and Triston Casas, both corner infielders who could see time at first if they show that they’re ready for primetime in spring training.
That would be ideal because it’s slim pickings on the free-agent market for first basemen. Old friend Steve Pearce (he of the -0.9 WAR who is 37 and most likely retiring) remains, as do Mark Reynolds (36, -0.8 WAR), Lucas Duda (34, -1.0 WAR), and Yonder Alonso (33, -1.2 WAR). As I said, slim pickings.
Unless Chaim Bloom can find someone willing to trade a decent first baseman, it looks like the Moreland/Chavis platoon, with perhaps some time for Bobby Dalbec or Triston Casas, is what they’ll have to go with.