The Red Sox didn’t land Adam LaRoche this offseason, but because the Nationals did (at two years, $24 million), it may open up talks for another first baseman — 30-year-old Nats right-handed slugger Mike Morse.
Morse, who reportedly has been the subject of recent talks between the Red Sox and Nationals, makes sense for Boston, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Morse became expendable when the Nationals re-signed LaRoche and is under contract for $6.75 million next season before becoming a free agent.
To get Morse, Rosenthal speculates, the Red Sox would need to part with “young talent and possibly a left-handed reliever.”
Morse is 6-foot-5, 245 pounds and goes by the nickname “The Beast.” He hit .291 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 102 games last season. In 2011, he finished 19th in MVP voting after posting a .303 batting average with 31 homers, 95 RBIs and a .550 slugging percentage (fourth in the NL) in 146 contests.
On the other side of the ball, Morse has started at least 50 career major league games at left field, right field, first base and shortstop, respectively. Primarily an outfielder last season, Morse started 82 games at first base in 2011, where he notched a .992 fielding percentage.
