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The Red Sox have not had the easiest offseason. Between losing their arbitration hearing with Mookie Betts to the contract stalemate with slugger J.D. Martinez, Boston’s stove was not just cold, but frigid. But could they be on the verge of turning it around? According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Red Sox are in talks with veteran first baseman Logan Morrison to bolster their infield.
The 30-year old Morrison is coming off of a one-year deal with Tampa Bay, slashing .246/.353/.516 with 38 home runs (the jury is still out on whether or not he should have been in the Home Run Derby) over 512 at bats. His offensive numbers are average, allowing eight errors over 126 innings at first base for the Rays last year. The Red Sox have a solid, young outfield, so Morrison’s abilities would be best suited for the infield, but he offers flexibility there if need be.
Morrison’s performance at the plate deserves a bigger contract than his one-year, $2.5M deal of 2017, but this market is cutthroat and the Red Sox need to devise a way for him, Hanley Ramirez, and Mitch Moorland to all play nice at first base and in the DH spot. His commodity of a being a lefty would be worth the cash for Boston (and a lineup that creates a nightmare for righty pitchers), but whether Morrison is willing to take another minor contract is to his discretion.
The Red Sox need more power behind the plate, and as of now are looking for their younger players to carry that load. Signing a 8-year veteran who still has some gas in the tank is a smart move for batting lineup and clubhouse presence alike. And hey, Logan Morrison is the fiscally responsible man’s J.D. Martinez.