Padres decline Moreland's $3M option

The San Diego Padres declined to exercise first baseman Mitch Moreland's $3-million club option for 2021.

Moreland will receive a $500,000 buyout.

San Diego acquired Moreland from the Boston Red Sox ahead of the Aug. 31 trade deadline for prospects Jeisson Rosario and Hudson Potts. He got off to a hot start to the season in Boston but struggled after the trade, slashing .203/.247/.362 with two homers and eight RBIs in 73 regular-season plate appearances for the Padres.

San Diego already has a high-priced first baseman in Eric Hosmer, who is under contract for five seasons. Hosmer's presence, combined with the uncertainty around the universal DH in 2021, may have contributed to the Padres' decision on Moreland.

The 35-year-old joins a crowded field of free-agent first basemen that includes Carlos Santana, Daniel Murphy, and Ryan Zimmerman, among others.

Moreland is a career .252/.320/.448 hitter over 11 seasons with three teams. He was an All-Star with the Red Sox during their 2018 championship season and won a Gold Glove at first base in 2016.