The Angels introduced Albert Pujols at a press conference today, but they still have to figure out what to do with their two incumbent first basemen. GM Jerry Dipoto indicated that they will find a place for Mark Trumbo, and today he confirmed to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez that Kendrys Morales will be tendered a contract before Monday's deadline.
Morales, 28, hasn't played since breaking his leg celebrating a walk-off grand slam against the Mariners on May 29th, 2010. He'd hit .302/.353/.548 with 45 homers in the 203 games prior to the injury, dating back to the start of the 2009 season. The team will know more about the health of his leg after the New Year, but he must also prove he can run at full speed in Spring Training.
Our projections have Morales earning $2.975MM in 2012 following his second trip through arbitration this winter. There has been some speculation that the Angels would non-tender him after landing Pujols, but they should be able to finding some trade interest. A number of teams could use a switch-hitting power hitter at first base (or DH), including the Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles, Indians, Brewers, Pirates, and Rangers.
I think tendering Morales a contract was a no-brainer… There are definitely going to be some teams willing to take a chance on him; the Angels could trade him for prospects…or, if he shows up healthy to spring training, it’s been suggested that they could another left handed bat, and as a switch-hitter he does fit the bill.
“Morales, 28, hasn’t played since breaking his leg celebrating a walk-off grand slam against the Mariners on May 29th, 2010.”
This is the saddest sentence. If I were him I’d be constantly fuming. Should be interesting to see where he ends up, though. Sure plenty of teams would love to take a chance if he comes cheap enough (he will).
I highly doubt Kendrys goes cheap anywhere. Don’t see the Angels trading him unless they get a great offer but they wont receive a great offer unless he has proven himself healthy and picks up where he left off. Of course, if he does that, then the Angels wont really want to trade him because they will have a great batter for cheap.
In either case for the Angels, they either have a player who wont fetch much in return or they have a great player who is cheap and possibly too costly to trade.
Ah, I missed the part where his salary is likely to be < 3 mil. Should've figured, but I keep forgetting that he's still in the arbitration years.
I laughed so hard when that happen, didnt even care that Brandon League blew the game.
Laughing at someone getting injured, possibly ending a very promising career, is very classy. Great job representing Seattle fans.
more proof that abreu is on his way out…. or he will just have to master the position i did when i played… left bench
now now, I don’t know about the scouting reports but I heard he is pretty good at right bench too
Actually, you just killed a pretty decent quip…
Not so hard to be good at right bench. As long as you’ve got the Gatorade lined up for the boys when they come in to hit, you’ve done your job.
They have 8 players for 5 spots between OF, DH and 1B. Obviously Albert and Bourjous are staying, Wells has a few more years, Hunter and Abreu have one more, and they still have Trumbo, Trout and Kendry. It’ll be interesting to see who they try to fit in and who they try to trade.
Haha, I will laugh whole-heartedly as a jays fan if they just outright release Vernon.
They are in an excellent situation to improve the team or add some prospects. With all the recent acquisitions..
Hunter or Abreu could be a good trade piece for a team looking for some depth in the OF or at DH.
Maybe Hunter to the Red Sox or Giants as a RF?
Maybe Abreu to the Jays as a DH? They need a high OBP type.
Kendry would be an excellent option for the Rays, Cardinals and maybe the Cubs (if they don’t bring Pena back).
I think they should enjoy their starting pitching depth but in case they want to move Santana then obviously tons of teams would be interested as well.
Here’s a crazy trade:
Wells (3/$63), Morales and Izturis to the Giants for Zito (3/$57) and a prospect or two (middle infielders maybe?).
Logic: Both Wells and Zito are dead weight. Neither are needed and neither can be moved. Might as well move Zito and get a player that could bounce back and be decent (25 hrs, .260 avg, .340 OBP maybe?). Zito would just be an innings eater but could be a solid #4 or #5. The fact that Zito would get paid $20 mil to do it doesn’t matter because it’s offset by Wells and his atrocious contract. Angels can then open up an OF spot for Trumbo.
Santana to the Yankees for Betances, Sanchez and Adams.
Soriano and Laird to the Dodgers for Kuo, Joc Pederson and Chris Withrow.
The Wells-Zito trade has the right idea, but I’m not sure Morales fits with the Giants, with Belt and Pablo penciled in at the corners from 2013 on
Couldn’t Belt be moved to the OF?
He definitely could (he will probably get most of any 2012 starts out there), but if they are making a trade, why have one of the centerpieces coming back be a huge health risk at an already filled position? I’m not an expert at the Angels roster/farm system, but swap Morales out with someone at a different position (young OF not Trout?) and that could be a good trade for both teams
I think this is a waste of $3 million. The medical reports from the middle of last season said he was having problems walking and likely needed further surgery just to have a normal life, not even considering baseball. That’s going to scare away teams from giving up anything significant for 1: a guy who still has major injury concerns, and 2: a guy who is projected to earn $3 million next year. The Angels will likely have to eat some of this contract to trade him. Just non-tender him and wish him well.
In baseball terms, $3 million is chump change. It is a very low risk to spend $3 million on Kendrys Morales just to see where he is at, baseball-wise.
Are you his doctor? This was never public information.
So how is eating $3 mil and non-tendering him better than trading him, getting something in return and possibly having to eat a portion of his $3 mil?
There are plenty of teams who would take a $3 mil chance on him.
His original point was that you don’t have to eat the $3 mil. If you just non-tender him, he is a free agent and the angels don’t have to eat any money at all. Either way though, Kendrys has more value as a trade chip and more potential than someone who should just be released so the Angels should definitely tender him a contract.
Lol, 3 million to take a flyer on a player who finished 5th in the 2009 MVP voting…
MAN THAT’S A REAL WASTE.
I think the Braves would be a good fit if he’s good to play left field. His baseballreference profile said “First Baseman and Rightfielder” So maybe he could play left? I think so. If his leg heals up fine.
Given his injury profile, he will never have mobility to take outfield position. Never. He would most likely DH and begin to have some time in 1B in future even if he becomes healthy.
Yeah, probably. If only the NL had DH… ;]
Just kidding. Please don’t respond negatively to this. c:
Morales to the Jays. I wonder how much it would take.
Nah son Indians need to make that trade.
Well then Indians got to look for other Kendrys Morales because this one is ours
Marcus Knecht or Michael Crouse straight up mayhaps?
I’d hate to see Trumbo go, but it’s the better move. His trade value is high right now and they’ll find more takers for him than for Morales. Any team willing to trade a closer for a ROY runner-up?
I bet the Indians would come calling. If Santana actually catches next year the Indians will be in need of a better option than Laporta and/or Hafner over at 1b and Morales has shown he can hit when healthy.
I don’t know. As far as Hafner goes, I think they stick with him, considering he showed at least somewhat of an above-average bat last season. I think he could do it again, and I also think the Indians are banking on it.
I’d way rather have Morales, provided he recovers. His injury was a freak accident. When he plays, he hits for average, provides a decent OBP and has similar power to Trumbo.
a CLOSER? Do you realize we have Walden and at 3rd we have…
would love to see him in the jays line up
There are rumors of Chris Perez getting moved for a 1st baseman. Indians would be dumb not to try this.
What? Where did you hear that? I’ve not heard one word about Perez getting moved.
I think he meant rumors in his head.
I think he meant rumors in his head.
The rumors right now has the Indians trying to put together a blockbuster trade for Alonso / Frazier / Rodriguez For a package that would include Chris Perez / Tony Sipp / Fausto Carmona / Cord Phelps +.
At one point it was thought that the deal fell apart at the Winter Meetings because they made it to complicated by too many moving pieces being involved was thought that the trade would have been expanded to include Asdrubal and maybe even Brantley with others like Granal & Cozart being involved.
The Indians are also talking to the Braves. The Braves seem to be very interested in obtaining Choo in a deal where Hayward would be involved play LF in 2012 and take over CF in 2013.
I think the indians will end up bring in a Rookie type 1st baseman & a outfielder by way of trade within the next week and a half IMO, We will see.
“Quote The Raven never More”
AS a Reds fan, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thank you
Mariners? League for Morales. Mariners need hitting. League rumored to being shopped, Angels were interested.
Yeah trade for a guy that hasnt played in a year and a half for a decent setup/closer.
Closers are a dime a dozen. The Mariners have had 7 closers in the last decade – I’m sure they’d survive. Morales could be a comeback player of the year when he gets healthy.
Which is why Angels don’t trade Morales
(thought Completed)
If that’s a complete thought, it’s wrong. The Angels traded Mathis. The Angels traded Napoli. The Angels have made more trades than your age and my age squared.
If it’s not a complete thought, you should really take the time to finish thoughts before posting them on the internet.
I’m sorry took time for brain to process but i’m done
Closers are a dime a dozen. The Mariners have had 7 closers in the last decade – I’m sure they’d survive. Morales could be a comeback player of the year when he gets healthy.
Yeah trade a player who finished 5th on the 2009 MVP ballot for a reliever with a career 1.25 WHIP…
Yeah…………….dude………………….
that or become the next nike endorser, which would come first?
LOL. League for Morales?
Would you give me a 12 ounce filet mignon for a Big Mac?
Didn’t think so…
You mean an all-star closer for a guy who may never play in the field again?
This has AA all over it. A young first base that is low cost and that he could buy low, check. Rather trade than sign, check. Trading with the Angela is second nature for AA.
According to Jay’s fans, EVERY some-what decent move has AA written all over it. Guess what, as a Ranger’s fan, I say this has JD spray-painted on it.
haha yes, jays fans definitely like their gm (as we should)
re: morales to the rangers, i find it highly unlikely that the angels would trade a guy with morales’ upside to a division rival. the thought that another player could head to texas and hit like an mvp would be far too much for the angels to bear.
i’m not sure how they match up with the jays or any other team really. most of the angels’ lineup and rotation is either set with good players, or unmoveable cause of contract status. it would either be a deal for prospects, or the angels could try to unload one of their higher salaries (wells, abreu, hunter, etc.) using morales to sweeten the pot.
right but then after a Brett Lawrie HR celebration Morales hits the DL with a broken arm
As he just got allowed on light walking on treadmill and reports suggesting he will not come back until ST, I would assume expecting to see Morales fully healthy would be 50/50 bet which would take two years in minimum. Arb. will never lower the salary so it is a gamble you can play. You can lose at minimum of 15m for next 4 years if he never comes back to himself. If you win the gamble, which I assume it is about 30% since it is tough to imagine a player who had been down for 2-3 years regaining his form when he was at his prime, you will have all star 1st baseman at about 20m for 3 years.
There’s a part of me that is considering Morales, but Scott Boras is his agent. So if I am the O’s, I really don’t want him.
Best case: Morales can DH and be the second best hitter in the lineup, providing good protection for Pujols.
Worst case: he never makes it back
Probably worth taking this risk for $3 million
OMG someone else actually thinks on this site!
I’m calling Rays or Jays if he does get traded.
I like it and th fact that Rangers or jays are in that list for tradeing partners..i don’t like it would be dumb for Angels to trade Morales and even dumber to trade him to Rangers or Jays
morales,abreu,izzy for longoria,
and possibly niemann
That’s DUMB in Ray’s part..Get Morales someone who is no one again..Abreu 9M who sucks..Izzy utillity player..But for Longo there best player
More like Morales, Bourjos, Conger, Chatwood, Aybar + cash for Longoria.
Morales by himself is as good as Longoria
I laughed. Hard.
Kendrys breaking his leg was the funniest thing I’ve seen; well worth the loss.
Trading Trumbo would not make any sense but Morales possibly. I just think the Angels feel Morales is worth more than what will be offered.
He won’t be traded. Here’s the logic…
Rival teams will only offer what the Angels think he’s worth if he is indeed healthy and back to his 2009 form, or close to it.
However, if he’s healthy, for 3 million the Angels would be insane not to plug him into the DH spot and bat him behind Albert for protection. Not to mention it gives them another left-handed bat in the line-up (Aybar is currently the ONLY left-handed bat in the projected 2012 line-up).
Get on this Theo
Halos need to let Abreu go, not Morales. Kendrys does not have a wrist or arm problem, and last time we checked, you don’t lose your talent due to an injury. As it is, Morales gives the Halos a productive lefty bat in the line-up
that is exactly what I have been saying. plus kendrys is about 10 years younger then abreu.
that is exactly what I have been saying. plus kendrys is about 10 years younger then abreu.
Would be awesome to see the Cardinals move on Morales. Then they could keep Berkman in the outfield and have a 1b for the near future. Morales’ value is way down because of injuries and I imagine the Angels want to drop some payroll ASAP. Maybe a live arm like Ottavino and Green would get it done.
throw in kmac with ottavino and greene and i think they would take it, morales would be a stud here!
throw in kmac with ottavino and greene and i think they would take it, morales would be a stud here!
Pujols will teach Trumbo how to play third
Solution-move pujols to 3rd! lol
Solution-move pujols to 3rd! lol
I still think he’d be a good target for the Braves, offer the Angels Hinske+B prospect (Milligan perhaps) or Diaz+ someone a little better.
If needbe, move Freeman to LF (yes he’s a good defensive 1B, you’d take a hit on defense), on days they both play, unless Morales can play LF again.
His .360 OBP is just what the Braves need offensively.
I still think he’d be a good target for the Braves, offer the Angels Hinske+B prospect (Milligan perhaps) or Diaz+ someone a little better.
If needbe, move Freeman to LF (yes he’s a good defensive 1B, you’d take a hit on defense), on days they both play, unless Morales can play LF again.
His .360 OBP is just what the Braves need offensively.
Ethier and Guerra for Morales and Abreu.
Dodgers save $12m (estimate) on Ethier and $6m (estimate) by non-tendering Loney, picking up $9m for Abreu and $4m (estimate) for Morales for a net savings of $5m for McBankrupt.
Angels can put Guerra into the closer’s role while Hunter, Wells, Ethier, Bourjos, Trumbo man the OF/DH with Pujols at 1st. The smart thing to do would be to play Wells and Hunter vs. LHP and sit one of them (preferably Wells) in favor of Ethier vs. RHP. Angels could use a solid bat from the left side.
Dodgers put Abreu in RF and Morales at 1st, make Jansen or Lindblom their closer.
Thoughts? Maybe the Angels also need to throw in a prospect?