Red Sox re-sign Mitch Moreland to 2-year deal

The Red Sox announced Monday that they have re-signed first baseman Mitch Moreland to a two-year deal. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports Moreland will receive $13 million, with another $1 million available in incentives.

Boston was considered to be one of the top options for free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer, so today’s reunion with Moreland will all but take the Sox out of the mix to sign the ex-Royal. The Padres and Royals are thought to be the leading clubs on Hosmer, who is the top option on a strong market that also includes Logan Morrison, Yonder Alonso, Matt Adams, Mike Napoli, Mark Reynolds and Danny Valencia in the wake of Carlos Santana’s agreement with the Phillies.

Moreland, 32, hit .246/.326/.443 with 22 homers and 79 RBI for the Red Sox after signing a one-year deal during the winter meetings last December. He was not expected to return to the Red Sox and drew interest from the Mets and other clubs on the open market.

With first base locked up, the Red Sox will turn their attention to securing an impact outfield bat. J.D. Martinez appears to be the team’s top candidate for that role, though president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and agent Scott Boras appear to be at a standstill in negotiations.