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Boston Red Sox: Four areas of need heading into the 2020 season

By Drew Athans

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 8: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run double in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 8: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run double in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

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.

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