Mitch Moreland to Padres, per report

MLB Trade Rumors: Mitch Moreland has been traded to the San Diego Padres from the Boston Red Sox for prospects Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario, per multiple reports.

The Padres, who are in contention for the first time in general manager A.J. Preller’s tenure with the team, appear to be moving aggressively to improve for the stretch run. They acquired reliever Trevor Rosenthal yesterday.

Moreland is, of course, a former Texas Ranger who was drafted, developed and got to the majors while Preller was with Texas. Padres manager Jayce Tingler was part of the Rangers organization in a non-playing role from 2007 until he was hired by the Padres after last season.

Moreland has been red hot this year, with an 1177 OPS on the season, and the Padres will have a $3 million team option on him for 2021. The Padres are reportedly still seeking a starting pitcher, and have reportedly inquired on Lance Lynn.

Potts, who turns 22 in October, is a third baseman who was the 24th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Southlake Carroll. He had a down 2019 season, posting a sub-700 OPS in AA, but is generally a well regarded prospect.

Rosario, who turns 21 in October (6 days before Potts turns 22, interestingly enough), is a left handed hitting center fielder out of the Dominican Republic who was challenged with an assignment to the Cal League as a 19 year old in 2019, and put up a 686 OPS.

Neither prospect is in the top tier in the Padres system, but they have value, and this is a solid pickup for Boston. San Diego, meanwhile, gets a veteran lefty power hitter who is also a terrific defensive first baseman, should they wish to play him there and have Eric Hosmer DH.