Moreland is hitting .444 (4-for-9) with two doubles, two RBI and a run across his first four Cactus League games.

EDGE Analysis

The projected everyday designated hitter is offering a glimpse of how focusing solely on the bat during the coming season may boost his production, as Moreland has hit safely in three of his first four games. The veteran owns a career .252/.320/.448 slash, so while the small-sample numbers will naturally be subject to decline over time, they're relatively encouraging coming on the heels of Moreland's solid .265/.342/.551 combined line with the Red Sox and Padres over 152 plate appearances in 2020.

Moreland is expected to see the bulk of his 2020 playing time at designated hitter and is trying to devise a spring training routine to help him acclimate to that role, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "It's definitely going to be different, so I'm kind of looking forward to camp to figure out how to transition into that a little bit better," Moreland said. "Get a game plan together for that job. I can't answer it yet. Maybe in a few weeks I can have a better answer. But that's definitely what I'm looking forward to in camp, figure out how I'm going to do it during the season a little bit better."

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old certainly has the experience to accommodate the Athletics in whatever they ask of him, even if he still arguably boasts Gold Glove skills. Matt Olson already a two-time winner of that honor, naturally will get the bulk of playing time at first base, leaving Moreland to rely on some of his past experience at designated hitter (66 total appearances) to get himself ready. One of the mental techniques he may employ is visualizing the job as a series of pinch-hit opportunities, a practice he engaged in last season with the Padres when Eric Hosmer was handling first-base duties and Moreland was consequently relegated to a DH role.

Moreland signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with Oakland on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old is at the stage of his career where his numbers should be falling off, but he's managed to defy aging in recent seasons. His 110 wRC+ over the last three seasons is better than his 98 mark over his first eight, and he's coming off a year in which he homered 10 times in 42 games while slashing .265/.342/.551. He's joined a team that has another left-handed first baseman (Matt Olson) seemingly locked into a starting role, so he'll probably find himself fighting for time at the designated hitter spot, where he should be a favorite to start against righties.

The Padres declined Moreland's $3 million club option for 2021 on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old was acquired from the Red Sox ahead of the August trade deadline, but the Padres won't be bringing him back for 2021 under the modest team option. The uncertainty of whether the National League will have the designated hitter again next season figures to have played a role in the decision. Moreland had a .328/.430/.746 slash line with eight homers in 22 games with Boston before the trade, but he never found his footing after being sent west, posting a .203/.247/.362 slash line and two homers n 20 games for San Diego.

Moreland isn't starting Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

With the Dodgers starting another southpaw (Clayton Kershaw), Moreland will retreat to the bench once again as he remains in a platoon role. Tommy Pham will serve as the designated hitter with Jurickson Profar taking over in left field.

Moreland is not in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Moreland remains in his platoon role and will hit the bench against southpaw Walker Buehler. He'll presumably remain on the bench for Game 2 against Clayton Kershaw. Tommy Pham will be the designated hitter in his absence.

Moreland is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 1 of the Padres' wild-card series with the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals are bringing a southpaw (Kwang Hyun Kim) to the hill for the postseason opener, so the lefty-hitting Moreland's absence from the lineup doesn't come as a major surprise. Eric Hosmer will start at first base while Tommy Pham takes Moreland's spot as the Padres' designated hitter.

Moreland went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 6-2 victory over San Francisco.

EDGE Analysis

Moreland entered the contest having gone 0-for-8 over his previous three games but got back on the right track with an RBI single in the fourth inning. He built upon that hit with a 424-foot solo shot in the ninth inning. Moreland has 10 homers overall this season, though eight came during his early season stint with the Red Sox.

Moreland is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Moreland has struggled with a .498 OPS in 17 games since being acquired by the Padres, and he will head to the bench for Friday's matinee with lefty Tyler Anderson starting for the Giants. Tommy Pham will bat seventh as the designated hitter while Jurickson Profar starts in left field.

Moreland is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Though the Padres are facing a right-handed pitcher (Jaime Barria) in the series finale, the lefty-hitting Moreland will take a seat as manager Jayce Tingler gives Manny Machado a day out of the field and deploys him as San Diego's designated hitter. Moreland has predictably cooled down since arriving in San Diego on Aug. 30 after an unsustainably hot start to the season while he was with Boston. Through his first 16 games with the Padres, Moreland is hitting .172 with five extra-base hits (one home run, four doubles) over 58 at-bats.