The San Diego Padres, one of the breakout teams of this Major League Baseball season, made its roster even stronger after acquiring Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland on Sunday.
The Padres have been using players like Josh Naylor and Wil Myers at times in their designated hitter role, but Moreland figures to be the main option for the team against right-handed pitchers at this time.
The veteran slugger has been tearing it up with the Sox this season, who have committed to a complete rebuild after a disappointing start to the season. Moreland has hit .328 with 8 home runs and 21 RBI as the best hitter on the team’s roster in 2020.
San Diego, at 21-15 this season, currently figure as one of the Wild Card teams in this year’s expanded playoff system. They’ll hope that Moreland, whom they acquired in exchange for third baseman Hudson Potts and center fielder Jeisson Rosario, will spark them towards a playoff run in their first appearance since 2006 if they qualify.
The Red Sox acquire two prospects at the same time, marching towards what could be the first true rebuild the team has done in decades.
Moreland is set to debut for the Padres on Monday night against the Rockies.
