Intriguing (Puzzling?) Roster Move: Mitch Moreland

The Rangers made an intriguing (polite description) roster move today to replace the injured Ian Kinsler--adding Mitch Moreland to the 40-man roster and promoting him to Arlington. Now, let me start by saying that Mitch Moreland is a good player who has earned his promotion to the big leagues. After struggling somewhat in his first professional season at Short-A Spokane, he came into his own in 2008 and 2009 with an OPS of .936 and .918 respectively. This year, his first at AAA, he's dropped off slightly to .289/.371/.484, but has been showing improvement each month of the season. In July he's hitting .320/.393/.590. He also provides some versatility in that he can play both first base and a corner outfield spot. Consequently, I wouldn't have been surprised to see him added to the roster in September to provide some added depth during the final weeks of the regular season.

But adding him now definitely surprised me.

Moreland's certainly not going to replace Kinsler in the lineup (Joaquin Arias, Andres Blanco, or a trade acquisition) will handle that role. Moreland might replace Chris Davis in the lineup, but Moreland, like Davis bats lefthanded. Plus, Davis is hitting well enough in the last week (to go with his .289 AVG the final six weeks of 2009) to provide hope that he is truly settling in as a big league hitter. Moreland could provide some outfield assistance, but another left-handed outfield bat is not a pressing need for this team. And if the Rangers were looking for a late-inning pinch runner...it certainly won't be Moreland. 

It seems to me that long-term, there is only room on the 25 man roster for only three players from the group of Chris Davis, David Murphy, Julio Borbon and Mitch Moreland. For now though, the Rangers have all four. Which makes me wonder for how long?

Update: With the Rangers acquiring Jorge Cantu, the Moreland move makes even less sense to me...unless Davis, Murphy or Borbon are leaving today too.