In an ongoing offseason series, we'll examine some key questions facing the Rangers as they try to rebound from a disastrous 2014 season.
Question: What should the Rangers do with Mitch Moreland?
Year after year, the Texas Rangers gave homegrown first baseman Mitch Moreland a chance to win the everyday first baseman job for the foreseeable future. And year after year, for a variety of reasons, be it injury or struggles, Moreland failed to do so. Finally, the Rangers had seen enough and went and traded for slugger Prince Fielder, who of course only played in 42 games before missing the rest of the season.
Moreland, himself, joined Fielder soon after on the season-ending injury list and squandered yet another opportunity to prove his worth with the organization or at least build up significant trade value.
Now eligible for arbitration for the second consecutive season, the Rangers have a decision to make on what they want to do with Moreland, who had a career power year in 2013 before seeing his 2014 season derailed by injury.
Moreland would likely earn over $3 million for the 2015 season via arbitration, and that money could be well worth it if Moreland could just stay healthy for an entire season. He's an above-average glove at first base. He can play the corner outfield and of course he can serve as a designated hitter while providing power from the left side of the plate.
At such a low price, it seems like a no-brainer that the Rangers will bring Moreland back, but only time will tell.
