Red Sox's Mitch Moreland: Gives Farrell flexibility

Moreland could be used in a platoon at first base, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

Analysis:

Moreland and Hanley Ramirez, who didn't kill Boston defensively at first as he did in left field the previous season, could form the platoon. The newly acquired Moreland would face right-handed starters and Ramirez could start against lefties. The platoon would allow manager John Farrell to use the now-available designated hitter spot to take advantage of certain matchups or keep players fresh. One can see Chris Young getting into the lineup more often against left-handed starters, or Dustin Pedroia getting a "day off" as the DH. We'll get a clearer picture of Moreland's projected usage in spring training, but be prepared for him to get fewer than 500 at-bats in a Boston uniform.