Mitch Moreland returning to Red Sox

In need of a left-handed bat to play first base, the Red Sox turned to a familiar face on Tuesday, signing Mitch Moreland to a one-year deal with an option for 2021.

Moreland will earn $2.5 million in 2020. The Sox hold a team option for $3 million in 2021 with a $500,000 buyout, making the guaranteed portion of the deal $3 million. That's also the number that will count toward the Red Sox payroll for competitive balance tax (CBT) purposes.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was the first to report the terms of the contract.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Before Moreland's return, Michael Chavis was the only player on the Red Sox' 40-man roster with any significant first base experience in the majors. Moreland gives them some balance at the position from the left side, along with strong defense and leadership skills.

The Sox project Jose Peraza, signed last month as a free agent, to be their regular second baseman, though the presence of Moreland will allow Chavis to also get some time at second, too.

This will be Moreland's fourth season in Boston after seven years with the Texas Rangers. Although he was limited to 91 games in 2019, in some ways, this past season was Moreland's best with the Sox. He posted career highs in both slugging percentage (.507) and OPS (.835). His OPS+ of 112 was his highest since coming to Boston and second-highest of his career. He added 19 homers in just 298 at-bats.

Moreland has been an important figure in the clubhouse and off the field for the last few years, too. Despite differences in background and language, he took Rafael Devers under his wing in 2018, teaching him about the game and connecting him with former Texas teammate Adrian Beltre, who offered Devers guidance on playing third base.

At this stage of his career, Moreland can't be considered an everyday player. He hit just .204 against lefties last season and a troublesome knee and a series of muscle pulls have sent him to the IL a number of times in recent seasons, reducing his durability.

But the Sox don't need Moreland to be play 145 games at first. Chavis can supply plenty of at-bats from the right side.

Moreland's return also gives additional time for Bobby Dalbec to develop at Triple A. Dalbec is arguably the organization's best power prospect, but he's played just 30 games above Double A and could use additional time to work on his selectivity at the plate. Dalbec could also use more time to get acclimated at first -- he was drafted as a third baseman, but has transitioned across the infield now that he's blocked for the foreseeable future there by Devers -- and will now have that chance at Pawtucket.