Rangers, Moreland Avoid Arbitration

The Rangers were mere hours from hitting an arbitration hearing with first baseman Mitch Moreland, something they haven't done with player since Lee Stevens in 2000, before the two sides came to a settlement that will pay Moreland $5.7 million in 2016 before he hits free agency next offseason.

Moreland is coming off a career year in which he tied for the team lead in home runs and was second in RBIs while playing a gold-glove caliber first base.

The settlement means the team and Moreland avoid the awkward nature of the hearings when each side states their case and their proposed salary number with the team having to basically talk bad about the player to get the figure they want.

The Rangers had proposed $4.675 and Moreland had asked for $6 million, meaning Moreland was the obvious winner in the settlement and showing just how much the Rangers wanted to keep their streak alive.

The 30-year-old Moreland could still be traded before the season for a starting pitcher or a corner outfield bat, but at this point, that seems unlikely as it would leave a hole at first base after Prince Fielder settled in nicely to being a full-time designated hitter in 2015.

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