Mitch Moreland signs with the Red Sox, further limiting the Indians options in free agency

The Boston Red Sox snapped up Mitch Moreland on a one-year deal today, pending results of a physical.

Sources: #RedSox in agreement with free agent Mitch Moreland on one-year deal, pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016

Earlier in the day, the Indians were believed to be in the running for the first baseman's services. Whether or not the Indians were outbid once again remains to be seen, as contract details have not yet been made public. Given the Red Sox willingness to deal Yoan Moncada and other prospects for Chris Sale, it's conceivable that the Indians are now losing an arms race with the team that they swept in the 2016 ALDS.

On the other hand, Moreland only accrued .4 fWAR and a wRC+ of 87 in 2016; perhaps the Red Sox were willing to pay much more than the Indians believed to be Moreland's correct market value.

If there is a silver lining to this, it is that the market and landing spots for 1B/DH types continues to shrink, and Edwin Encarnacion does not yet have a home.

Indians could do worse than to look under the couch for Edwin money, and really go for it. https://t.co/mRckQyddD0

— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) December 6, 2016