Toronto Blue Jays sign Kendrys Morales and a young Cuban defector in active day on free-agent market
Kendrys Morales (smiling) and his Kansas City Royals teammates line the field for the National Anthem and a World Series Champion flag-raising ceremony at Kauffman Stadium on April 3, 2016.
The Toronto Blue Jays added a player for the present and one for the future with two free-agent signings on Friday.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins signed former Kansas City Royals DH Kendrys Morales to a three-year deal according to news reports.
The team has yet to confirm either signing and likely won’t do so with Morales until after his physical exam.
Assuming Gurriel begins his Blue Jays career in the minor leagues, the club now has nine veterans under contract for 2017 for a cost of $118.3 million. Morales would join Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin, Melvin Upton Jr., and Justin Smoak among the signed hitters. Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis remain under club control and have not even reached their arbitration years. Veteran pitchers Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ and Francisco Liriano are signed for 2017; Marcus Stroman is in his first year of arbitration and while Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna are pre-arbitration.
The move to add Morales addresses the need to replace some power in the middle of the lineup with the possible departure of free agents Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Morales had a very productive season (.290/.362/.485, 127 OPS+ with 22 home runs and 106 RBIs in the regular season) in 2015 when the Royals dispatched the Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series and then won the World Series over the New York Mets. Morales’s 2016 season was a step back, although he finished the year with a sizzling September in which he hit .321/.370/.587 with eight homers and 30 RBIs.
Morales was scheduled to make $11 million in 2017 but he declined the mutual option to become a free agent. The Blue Jays met the same $11 million per-year asking price for three seasons to add a left-handed bat to their predominantly right-handed lineup. (Morales is a switch-hitter who has produced better splits from the left side of the plate.)
Morales, a 33-year-old from Cuba, first signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2005. He had his career year in 2009 when he hit .306 with 34 homers and 108 RBIs. He finished fifth in the voting for the AL MVP.
As the Jays seek to add bats to replace their aging sluggers, Morales is the same age as Encarncion and capable of filling some of the production gap at the DH spot. The signing leaves a hole at first base, though, since Encarnacion split his time there. Morales played five games in right field in 2016 and nine games at 1B in 2015. But at this point in his career, he is a full-time DH.
The relative value of Morales’ contract may open the door to re-signing Bautista, who is not likely to be as popular on the open market as Encarnacion because of his injury-marred season and having turned 36 in October.
The Jays’ first deal of the day was to sign the 23-year-old Gurriel, a recent Cuban defector, to a deal reportedly worth US$22 million over seven years.
Gurriel, part of Cuban baseball’s “first family,” defected with brother Yuliesky in January. The 32-year-old Yuliesky signed with the Houston Astros, but Lourdes, still just 22, was subject to international signing guidelines. He turned 23 in October, which allowed major league teams to sign him without using their international bonus pool.
Kendrys Morales (smiling) and his Kansas City Royals teammates line the field for the National Anthem and a World Series Champion flag-raising ceremony at Kauffman Stadium on April 3, 2016.
The Toronto Blue Jays added a player for the present and one for the future with two free-agent signings on Friday.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins signed former Kansas City Royals DH Kendrys Morales to a three-year deal according to news reports.
The team has yet to confirm either signing and likely won’t do so with Morales until after his physical exam.
Assuming Gurriel begins his Blue Jays career in the minor leagues, the club now has nine veterans under contract for 2017 for a cost of $118.3 million. Morales would join Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin, Melvin Upton Jr., and Justin Smoak among the signed hitters. Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis remain under club control and have not even reached their arbitration years. Veteran pitchers Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ and Francisco Liriano are signed for 2017; Marcus Stroman is in his first year of arbitration and while Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna are pre-arbitration.
The move to add Morales addresses the need to replace some power in the middle of the lineup with the possible departure of free agents Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Morales had a very productive season (.290/.362/.485, 127 OPS+ with 22 home runs and 106 RBIs in the regular season) in 2015 when the Royals dispatched the Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series and then won the World Series over the New York Mets. Morales’s 2016 season was a step back, although he finished the year with a sizzling September in which he hit .321/.370/.587 with eight homers and 30 RBIs.
Morales was scheduled to make $11 million in 2017 but he declined the mutual option to become a free agent. The Blue Jays met the same $11 million per-year asking price for three seasons to add a left-handed bat to their predominantly right-handed lineup. (Morales is a switch-hitter who has produced better splits from the left side of the plate.)
Morales, a 33-year-old from Cuba, first signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2005. He had his career year in 2009 when he hit .306 with 34 homers and 108 RBIs. He finished fifth in the voting for the AL MVP.
As the Jays seek to add bats to replace their aging sluggers, Morales is the same age as Encarncion and capable of filling some of the production gap at the DH spot. The signing leaves a hole at first base, though, since Encarnacion split his time there. Morales played five games in right field in 2016 and nine games at 1B in 2015. But at this point in his career, he is a full-time DH.
The relative value of Morales’ contract may open the door to re-signing Bautista, who is not likely to be as popular on the open market as Encarnacion because of his injury-marred season and having turned 36 in October.
The Jays’ first deal of the day was to sign the 23-year-old Gurriel, a recent Cuban defector, to a deal reportedly worth US$22 million over seven years.
Gurriel, part of Cuban baseball’s “first family,” defected with brother Yuliesky in January. The 32-year-old Yuliesky signed with the Houston Astros, but Lourdes, still just 22, was subject to international signing guidelines. He turned 23 in October, which allowed major league teams to sign him without using their international bonus pool.
Today at 5:17 am by Rocky
» utube 11/11/24 MM&C News Reporting-IRAQ-USA-Financial Inclusion up 48%-Money Inside & Out of Iraq
Today at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Mandlawi to the UN envoy: The supreme authority diagnosed the problems and provided solutions for
Today at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Saleh: Government strategy to boost gold reserves as part of asset diversification
Today at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister's advisor rules out oil price collapse: Trump's policy will not sacrifice petrodollar
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Tripartite alliance between Iraq, Egypt and Jordan to boost maritime trade
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee reveals date of entry into force of Personal Status Law
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Al-Fatah warns against US blackmail and Trump's intentions for the next stage
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» A leader in the law: If the Americans do not leave on their own two feet, we will expel them in fune
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» MP: Next Sunday's session will witness the passing of "important laws"
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» There is a financial aspect.. Al-Zaidi rules out voting on the real estate law
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» "Promising" economic opportunities in central Iraq open doors to investment, trade and unemployment
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Minister of Transport: Arab interest in the development road project
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Bitcoin Fails to Maintain Its Meteoric Rise
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Amending the retirement age on the parliament's table.. This is the latest that has been reached
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Launching the Health Unit Initiative in Iraqi Schools
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Will Iraq be the savior of the countries of the region if oil prices fall?
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Regarding electrical energy.. Government moves to meet the needs of next summer
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» {Retirement age} sparks debate in parliament
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Minister of Transport to {Sabah}: Arab interest in the development road project
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Planning: Two important pre-census activities start today and tomorrow
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Next week.. contracting with 2500 applicants on a {contract} basis
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Service Effort: Opening 30 projects in agricultural areas next month
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» The House of Representatives issues a clarification regarding its tenders and official invitations
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Issuance of (3000) new decisions for politically dismissed employees and non-employees
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani discusses cooperation in the field of energy and development of the oil and gas sector wit
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Trade: Transferring 400 billion dinars to pay farmers’ dues for the remaining wheat for the northern
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Iranian Minister of Trade and Industry Injured During Trip to Kurdistan
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Chairman of the Integrity Commission: Corruption negatively affects reconstruction and development a
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Strengthening judicial cooperation on the table of Judge Zidane and his Turkish counterpart
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the Ministry of Oil to communicate with Shell to implement projects that serve Ira
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» One of them is "protocol".. A politician determines the extent of the difference between Al-Sudani's
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Iraq confirms its keenness to support OPEC unity to ensure oil price stability
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» It may drop to 40%.. Al-Kanani warns of a sharp drop in oil and directs an urgent call to the govern
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Distribution next week.. The region will receive nearly 533 billion dinars to finance its employees’
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Iraq expresses interest in cooperating with major international oil companies
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Criticism follows the performance of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in international positions.. Wi
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani's election "embarrassed him"... Will Al-Sudani implement the ministerial reshuffle?
Today at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Will the "dollar crisis" topple the central bank governor?
Today at 4:11 am by Rocky
» The Oil and Gas Law Returns to the Forefront... Will Al-Sudani Be Able to Resolve the Disputes Over
Today at 4:09 am by Rocky
» Oil Licenses in Basra: An Environmental Disaster That Raises Cancer Rates and Suffocates the Populat
Today at 4:08 am by Rocky
» Iraq begins intensive campaign to deport illegal foreign workers and regulate the labor market
Today at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Government advisor explains Baghdad Metro project specifications and confirms its continuation witho
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani to the 188 Alliance delegation: The best solution is to give people the freedom to cho
Today at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentarian: Ambassadors and representatives of foreign missions came to Parliament to prevent t
Today at 4:03 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani's advisor reveals the reasons for the lack of gold in the government's reserves
Today at 4:02 am by Rocky
» New fortifications close the most dangerous border gaps between Iraq and Syria
Today at 4:01 am by Rocky
» "Baghdad breathes a sigh of relief" .. Closing of 144 illegal factories that emit toxins into the ai
Today at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil prices continue to decline amid global price decline
Today at 3:59 am by Rocky
» “The War of Leaks” Confuses the Political Scene... Blackmail or Expose of Corruption?
Today at 3:56 am by Rocky
» Government sends budget amendment to resolve differences with region
Today at 3:55 am by Rocky
» More than 800 “dual-job” employees work at Najaf Airport
Today at 3:54 am by Rocky
» Slight rise in dollar prices against the dinar in Iraqi stock exchanges
Today at 3:49 am by Rocky
» Where did the parliamentary discussions on the "retirement age" reach?
Today at 3:48 am by Rocky
» The region "mobilizes" for the first census in 37 years: It will increase the budget share and the n
Today at 3:47 am by Rocky
» "Thousands of them are suspended" .. Draft laws challenge the remainder of the life of the current p
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Population, oil and salaries...hot files in the meeting between Al-Sudani and Barzani
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Political attempts to obstruct it.. Personal Status Law on its way to legislation
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» MP: Al-Sudani has reached the conviction of the necessity of removing some ministers
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Central Bank announces progress in dollar control procedures
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Baghdad.. Closing 144 informal metal smelting factories to reduce pollution
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Private Banks Association: Iraq to adopt advanced trade finance system by end of 2024
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Severe imprisonment for former Minister of Transport for deliberately violating his job duties
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» 4 new pharmaceutical factories
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Iraq's move to attract $250 billion in investments welcomed
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Financial inclusion and banking restructuring
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Iraq records 4% economic growth, moves towards sustainable diversification
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani and Barzani discuss finding solutions to common issues "according to the constitution"
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Requesting Iraqi mediation.. US delegation arrives in Baghdad to follow up on the "hotline" with Teh
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil continues to decline for the third day in a row
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Population census in Iraq: social and political importance and a major challenge for the government
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Next Thursday.. the start of the first phase of the census
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» 11 international companies compete to operate Faw Port
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Baghdad conveys Trump's message to Tehran: Stop proxy wars... and confirms removing the opposition f
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Iraq contracts to purchase defense systems and helicopters
Yesterday at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Has Al-Sudani's government succeeded in keeping the fire away from Iraq?
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Justice announces the Ministry of Finance’s approval to appoint contract employees in all judicial d
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Expert: Traders’ dealings with sanctioned markets trigger demand for dollars on the black market
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Anbar.. Al-Waleed District summarizes the completed and under-construction projects for the current
Yesterday at 4:17 am by Rocky
» A government delegation reviews the work stages and completion rates at Nasiriyah International Airp
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani to the Sovereignty Bloc delegation: The necessity of turning the page on differences b
Yesterday at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Hasnawi: Iraq will benefit from green climate funds to improve the environment
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» New decisions approved by the Council of Ministers during today's session
Yesterday at 4:12 am by Rocky
» The Chairman of the Trade Bank of Iraq reveals to Alsumaria the interest rate on loans
Yesterday at 4:10 am by Rocky
» The 10 cheapest countries to pay electricity and gas bills.. Where is Iraq?
Yesterday at 4:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani and Nechirvan Barzani at one table in Erbil
Yesterday at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Here are the dollar prices in the Iraqi stock exchanges
Yesterday at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee Reveals to Alsumaria Latest Developments in Israeli Violation of Iraqi Airsp
Yesterday at 4:02 am by Rocky
» The largest of its kind in Iraq.. Launching a pioneering medical conference for professional develop
Yesterday at 4:01 am by Rocky
» A source explains the circumstances of transferring 75% of the Ministry of Interior’s civilian emplo
Yesterday at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Weapons are becoming more "loose" and the Interior Ministry is "politicizing"
Yesterday at 3:58 am by Rocky
» Government messages to citizens regarding the population census in Iraq
Yesterday at 3:56 am by Rocky
» What is Iraq's ranking in the Artificial Intelligence Index?
Yesterday at 3:54 am by Rocky
» utube 11/9/2 MM&C News Reporting-Sudani Art IV IMF-Port Faw Open-CBI Governor-No Room for Tw
Tue 12 Nov 2024, 7:08 am by Rocky
» Finance Committee discusses revenue enhancement and investment budget allocations with governors
Tue 12 Nov 2024, 7:06 am by Rocky
» His advisor: Al-Sudani's visit to Kurdistan focuses on these files
Tue 12 Nov 2024, 7:03 am by Rocky
» Al-Tamimi explains the importance of the real estate return law
Tue 12 Nov 2024, 7:02 am by Rocky
» MP: The administrative capital is a project under study and 2025 is the decision date
Tue 12 Nov 2024, 7:01 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Planning: Al-Sudani's government has not achieved what it pledged in its program
Tue 12 Nov 2024, 6:59 am by Rocky