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Yankees Acquire Kendrys Morales

By Steve Adams | May 14, 2019 at 7:41pm CDT

The Yankees announced that they’ve acquired first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales from the Athletics in exchange for cash or a player to be named later. In order to open a spot on the 40-man roster, New York transferred righty Jonathan Loaisiga from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

Kendrys Morales | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Morales, 35, was designated for assignment by the Athletics yesterday. Oakland had picked him up early in the season after losing first baseman Matt Olson to a hand injury for more than a month. However, the veteran Morales struggled quite a bit in limited time with the A’s, hitting at a .204/.310/.259 clip and connecting on just one home run. With Olson and fellow first baseman Mark Canha healthy in Oakland alongside designated hitter Khris Davis, there simply wasn’t a place on the Athletics’ roster for the struggling Morales.

That’s not necessarily the case up in the Bronx, however. While Luke Voit has solidified himself as the team’s primary first baseman, the outfield/designated hitter mix is considerably less certain. Morales could see fairly regular time at DH in the short term, leaving the Yankees with a starting outfield of Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier, while Cameron Maybin shifts into a reserve role. Although Morales’ 2019 production has been nonexistent, he’s just a year removed from a respectable .249/.331/.438 batting line and is a combined .270/.330/.465 hitter dating back to the 2009 season — when he first established himself as a Major League regular.

Of course, that alignment isn’t anywhere near what the Yankees had envisioned heading into the season, but the team’s jaw-dropping list of injuries has been well documented by now. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar, Greg Bird, Troy Tulowitzki and Didi Gregorius are all on the injured list, while Aaron Hicks was only just activated from the IL and has yet to make his season debut. To their credit, despite that slate of injuries, the Yankees are hitting .253/.333/.430 (104 wRC+) as a team and rank right in the middle of the pack in terms of total runs scored among MLB clubs.

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Jonathan Loaisiga Kendrys Morales New York Yankees Newsstand Oakland Athletics Transactions

Felix Hernandez Expected To Miss 4-6 Weeks Due To Lat Strain
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Rangers Notes: Ragans, Odor, Mazara, Miller
101 comments
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Comments

  1. SFGiantsGallore

    2 years ago

    Please tell me WHY?

    1 Like
    Reply
    • supertrucker247

      2 years ago

      I would like to know why too?

      Like
      Reply
    • dray16

      2 years ago

      because bird blows

      3 Like
      Reply
      • Begamin

        2 years ago

        i actually dont think the two are related. bird has been on the IL for a while now. i think if it was related to birds level of play they wouldve done something a while ago. it might be that they want to have someone that can give Voit some rest other than DJ?

        1 Like
        Reply
    • Yankeedynasty

      2 years ago

      Galore it’s because in case Andujar has to have surgery, we have a DH

      Like
      Reply
    • erauber

      2 years ago

      Ain’t nothing but a heartache

      1 Like
      Reply
      • YakAttack

        2 years ago

        Nicely done!

        Like
        Reply
      • BrandonGregory74

        2 years ago

        If there was a “post of the day” that would be it.

        Like
        Reply
    • holecamels35

      2 years ago

      The car is in the front yard,
      and I’m sleeping with my clothes on

      5 Like
      Reply
      • SFGiantsGallore

        2 years ago

        LMAO!

        1 Like
        Reply
      • royhobbs

        2 years ago

        Great

        Like
        Reply
    • compassrose

      2 years ago

      I was hoping he was going to play OF for you. When he was in Seattle it was an experience awatching him play out there has to be real bad now. DHing will be bad enough. LOL

      Like
      Reply
    • Ketch

      2 years ago

      Because he isn’t injured yet.

      Like
      Reply
    • Freddy H

      2 years ago

      You don’t follow the Yankees if you’re asking why.

      Like
      Reply
  2. yankeemanuno23

    2 years ago

    Ok – a smart vet player, can hit the long ball and be a good PH & fill in. Hope the short porch helps

    2 Like
    Reply
    • GB85

      2 years ago

      He’s hitting .204ish on the season…not my idea of a good PH.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • lowereastsider

      2 years ago

      He’s a total crapshoot with not a lot of upside. There’s a reason so many teams passed on him. Good thing is he’s easy to cut if he falters.

      Like
      Reply
      • Freddy H

        2 years ago

        I guess you gotta ask yourself if you want Maybin in the lineup every day, then ask yourself if it was worth it to take a chance on Morales for free.

        Like
        Reply
  3. agentp

    2 years ago

    Obligatory CHAMPIONSHIP proclamation.

    Like
    Reply
  4. solaris602

    2 years ago

    Yeah, good luck with that. In what year was he last productive? Gotta think long and hard about that.

    Like
    Reply
    • Yankeepride88

      2 years ago

      He hit 21 homeruns and had 1 WAR last year. I’d say that’s decent for league minimum

      6 Like
      Reply
    • HereComeThePhillies2018

      2 years ago

      It’s a league minimum salary for NYY that will probably result in them cutting him within 3 weeks. I don’t think they need to think that long or hard about it, that’s like saying you need to think long and hard before buying a $1 scratcher.

      3 Like
      Reply
      • agentp

        2 years ago

        Back scratcher? Back scratcher!

        Like
        Reply
        • Cuso

          2 years ago

          I believe the term you’re looking for is “butt-scratcher.”

          2 Like
          Reply
    • Steve Adams

      2 years ago

      He had a 113 OPS+ last year.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • bowserhound

        2 years ago

        ..last year

        Like
        Reply
        • nymetsking

          2 years ago

          when was it?

          Like
          Reply
  5. formerdraftpick

    2 years ago

    I predict by 6/2/2019, Kendrys will be on the IL

    Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      2 years ago

      ill take the under

      1 Like
      Reply
    • nymetsking

      2 years ago

      It’s possible he’ll be playing in the IL.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • sam

      2 years ago

      Or DFA’d

      Like
      Reply
  6. chicagofan1978

    2 years ago

    Dumpster diving Brian

    Like
    Reply
    • GarryHarris

      2 years ago

      and the Yankees are in first place with players from “The Dumpster”.

      3 Like
      Reply
      • chicagofan1978

        2 years ago

        I was being sarcastic cause someone always says dumpster diving Theo. But ok

        Like
        Reply
      • njbirdsfan

        2 years ago

        Who needs proper roster construction when you can just get guys who quit on other teams (Hicks comes to mind) for pennies on the dollar and all of a sudden they decide they feel like trying.

        2 Like
        Reply
      • cpdpoet

        2 years ago

        Am mostly anti-Yankees, but @GarryHarris grate post!

        Like
        Reply
        • getright11

          2 years ago

          Grate? Really????

          2 Like
          Reply
        • nymetsking

          2 years ago

          cheesy

          2 Like
          Reply
        • YakAttack

          2 years ago

          What a Muenster!

          Like
          Reply
    • Guest617

      2 years ago

      who doesn’t have an extra roll of quarters?

      Like
      Reply
      • nymetsking

        2 years ago

        Is rolling coins still a thing?

        Like
        Reply
    • Ketch

      2 years ago

      It’s not like a lot of teams are selling yet. This is a good zero risk move.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • Freddy H

        2 years ago

        Yep. Can’t compare him to the rest of the mlb.. simply compare his impact to Maybin.

        Like
        Reply
  7. chip1017

    2 years ago

    As least he isn’t built out of glass like Greg Bird. Good to have another left handed bat.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Ruff Kuntry

      2 years ago

      Except he’s ankle. Kind of like Achilles.

      Like
      Reply
      • chip1017

        2 years ago

        But he wasnt out forever (I remember that he hurt himself jumping on homeplate, celebrating a gw homer) That injury Greg Bird would still be nursing.

        1 Like
        Reply
  8. InvalidUserID

    2 years ago

    Post in about 12 hours: Kendrys Morales to the 10-day IL.

    2 Like
    Reply
  9. Yankeepatriot

    2 years ago

    I bet he will rake now he is with us lol. Nothing to lose with this signing considering he won’t cost anything

    Like
    Reply
    • callingoutdummies247

      2 years ago

      Us?

      Like
      Reply
      • nymetsking

        2 years ago

        He owns landscaping company.

        3 Like
        Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          Hahahaha

          Like
          Reply
      • Yankeepatriot

        2 years ago

        Why do people get so offended by this ? You know what fans mean when we say “us” lmao

        1 Like
        Reply
        • rms823

          2 years ago

          I think us applies quite nicely. teams wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for their fans so in a sense they kind of are one thing.

          3 Like
          Reply
  10. Mickey777

    2 years ago

    Means the end of Greg Bird and probably Miguel Andujar for this season. Otherwise there is absolutely no room on the roster for him. He was effective as recently as last year, might prove to be a good move. Now let’s get some starting pitching!!!

    Like
    Reply
    • Yankeedynasty

      2 years ago

      Who do you think? Not keuchel, and it would be for 2 more weeks until Paxton returns…

      2 Like
      Reply
    • Begamin

      2 years ago

      I wouldnt say that its the end for either of their seasons because they got Kendrys. I mean it might be the end of their seasons but Kendrys isnt going to get in the way of any players return. They can cut him or dfa him tomorrow and no one will really care. When more players come back he’s probably gonna get the boot.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • Mickey777

        2 years ago

        No one counts on Greg Bird and the Yankees think that Andujar’s poor numbers after his brief return were because he need surgery. If I was a betting man I’d bet on him having the surgery.

        Like
        Reply
    • Mickey777

      2 years ago

      Loisaiga just got moved to the 60 day IL, so the need for depth is certainly there. Who knows how long Severino will be out and Paxton is only a 20-25 start guy at best.

      Possible pickups Keuchel, Bumgarner, or maybe Stroman. None are perfect choices unless Bumgarner pulls a Verlander. I hope they pickup someone capable of really helping and not a long shot that Cashman hopes can help. Who would you like to acquire?

      Like
      Reply
  11. jorge78

    2 years ago

    I’m surprised the Rangers didn’t claim him. They love guys who can’t hit or pitch well if they’re a great value!

    1 Like
    Reply
    • The Ranger Fan

      2 years ago

      Rangers maybe losing a lot because of pitching,but as of yesterday we were 1st in runs scored per game, also and in the third inning with lefties pitching on Wednesday nights with runners on 1st and third we were 29 that category.

      3 Like
      Reply
      • Strike Four

        2 years ago

        Hunter Pence turned into Mike Trout but how???

        Like
        Reply
      • jorge78

        2 years ago

        I know its surprising considering they have 3 massive holes in their lineup. Dreading when the hot hitters cool off…..

        Like
        Reply
      • hughcapet987

        2 years ago

        Can’t understand you guys who rely on those mind boggling metrics!

        Like
        Reply
    • hiflew

      2 years ago

      Well, nobody claimed him. The A’s traded him before his waiver period expired. Teams have a certain amount of time to trade DFA’d players before waiver claims matter.

      Like
      Reply
      • jorge78

        2 years ago

        Oh OK, thanks. My bad…..

        Like
        Reply
  12. carlote

    2 years ago

    Where is Logan Morrison?

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Begamin

      2 years ago

      maybe extended spring?

      Like
      Reply
  13. Dynasty

    2 years ago

    I normally like depth signings but does this even count as a depth signing? He had negative value for 2 of the last 3 and was basically worthless the other year. Our internal options are all better than him.

    Like
    Reply
    • Dynasty

      2 years ago

      Guess I should clarify that I meant depth trade, not signing.

      Like
      Reply
      • troll

        2 years ago

        it was deep. bottom of the barrel deep

        2 Like
        Reply
    • Freddy H

      2 years ago

      You’d rather have Maybin be a regular?

      Like
      Reply
  14. Strike Four

    2 years ago

    He’s going to have a .950 OPS for the next month at least hitting in that park. He was hitting way better than his numbers. Lots of long outs. Yankees doing well in grabbing short term scrap heap guys who go off for a bit, so weird.

    Like
    Reply
    • Bocephus

      2 years ago

      He’s never gonna see the light of day. He gone June1

      Like
      Reply
  15. sheff86

    2 years ago

    He will hit or he’s gone. A big lefty bat in the order.
    Watch that walk off celebration.

    Like
    Reply
  16. Louiebeans

    2 years ago

    As a life long Yankees fan they just keep leaving a bad taste in my mouth. I have not watch one game this season I refuse!

    The guys that they could have had in the free agent market for just cash and now they are digging deep way deep into the dirt. What a cheap joke the Yankee become.

    How many more year are you going to watch Brett Gardner bat .100? You gotta be kidding me. No way not in a million years I’ll watch them.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • nymetsking

      2 years ago

      Good, take time away from baseball to focus on your grammar.

      7 Like
      Reply
      • Freddy H

        2 years ago

        This guy is a moron. Their lineup was loaded. No one could’ve predicted 10 injuries.

        I guess this guy should look into how awful Machado and Bryce have been.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          And I guess signing LaMahieu, who’s absolutely killing it wasn’t enough for this lifelong yankees fan smh

          Like
          Reply
    • dobsonel

      2 years ago

      Yeah, 100 wins last year and on pace for 97 this year. You’re right… what a joke!

      5 Like
      Reply
    • Far Beyond Driven

      2 years ago

      “Just cash” You yankee fans crack me up

      2 Like
      Reply
      • rocky7

        2 years ago

        Don’t characterize that comment about “cash” with respect to just Yankee fans…..many if not all the comments on this site, whether its where and for how much a free agent is going to sign, or speculation about ballplayers worth treat the subject of money as an afterthought.
        The comment from Louiebeans, is a shout out to the old Yankees under Father George who would spend, spend, spend.
        Money in todays context of teams fans mean little to nothing because its not their money!

        5 Like
        Reply
    • geeson

      2 years ago

      what do mean? cashman is a genius! LOL.

      just think about how that 35 mil on CC Gardy and Happ could have been used to help the team long term.

      I will still watch em every day/night b/c i love em. They are overachieving despite the mess.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Steven Chinwood

        2 years ago

        Cashman could sign a one armed catcher and a few of these guys would justify it. This team ain’t winning no 97 games.

        3 Like
        Reply
        • rocky7

          2 years ago

          News from the expert!!!
          Nobody said Cashman is a genius, but the constant degrading comments about him just aren’t true….every GM including the “genius” in Chi Town can be criticized by the unknowing baseball fan who want instant results and have limitless pocketbooks when no paying themselves.

          Like
          Reply
        • Steven Chinwood

          2 years ago

          Never insult Theo by comparing him to Cashman.

          2 Like
          Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          Yep. Jason Heyward signing of the century.
          Same with Yu Darvish.

          Like
          Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          And yet Cashman gets no credit for LeMaheiu.

          Sorry, just don’t see where they could’ve had more depth to begin the season.

          Like
          Reply
        • Steven Chinwood

          2 years ago

          Don’t go down the failed contract road my fiend, because that’s a hill you’ll most definitely die on.

          2 Like
          Reply
  17. Baseballfreak

    2 years ago

    Good signing! Left handed hitter in a lefty heaven! League minimum so if he doesn’t pan out, nothing really lost! 25-35 homers in the DH spot is not out of the question. Good production for $550k in my opinion!

    Like
    Reply
  18. MrNewYork24

    2 years ago

    I would rather see Mike Ford get the playing time, hell give Ben Ruta a shot, I don’t like this one bit, I hope I’m proved wrong

    Like
    Reply
    • Yankeepatriot

      2 years ago

      Ford looked overmatched

      3 Like
      Reply
    • dobsonel

      2 years ago

      The Yanks have a severe 25 and 40 man roster crunch coming when all these injured players finally start coming back. Cashman needs guys like this that he can feel comfortable cutting down the road. He can’t add guys like Ruta to the 40 man because he won’t be able to take him off later in the season without risking losing him.

      1 Like
      Reply
  19. johnnybadd2019

    2 years ago

    Greg Bird is garbage I wouldn’t lose sleep if he never suits up for the Yankees again. I think the short porch and some time in the cage with Thames will do Morales some good. Mike Ford is a long term project who will go back SWB and work on his stuff

    Like
    Reply
  20. dimelotitony

    2 years ago

    This is not a bad signing at all they can spell Voit to give him some days off while using DJ around 2nd & 3rd base. Plus the Yankees are just trying to be proactive in case that Andujar will need shoulder surgery and now with Stanton and his latest injury Kendry gives the Yankees another Switch-Hitter that has pop and you can then take away Gardner’s AB’s and use Maybin in LF until he cools off and put Kendry in the DH role. This is not what the Yankees envisioned but Cashman has done a really great job in picking up scrap heaps and turning them into serviceable ballplayers that have played a role in the Yankees keeping pace in the AL East with the exception of Tulo all the other pick ups Cashman has done has worked out pretty good for him. How many teams can lose the amount of “Starters” on their team to the D.L. and still claim they are top 5 team in baseball? So for now I won’t be surprised if Kendry comes in and starts hitting some important HR’s plus gives the Yankees a chance as well to spell Luke some days off as he has never been a starter and the wear and tear will catch up to him.

    Like
    Reply
  21. Meko

    2 years ago

    I guess the former Jays experiment worked so well with Tulo they want Molassas as well?

    1 Like
    Reply
  22. Happy2Engage

    2 years ago

    Don’t understand this move. Even with all the injuries he cannot field his position and is no longer a league average hitter.

    1 Like
    Reply
  23. ducksnort69

    2 years ago

    2019 pinstripes on scrubs === Barry Bonds. He’ll obviously follow that trend.

    Like
    Reply
  24. Rickeo02

    2 years ago

    He must be on the 60 day DL

    Like
    Reply
  25. hughcapet987

    2 years ago

    How many teams has Morales made a stopover? He is beginning to remind me of an old AAA legend back in the 50’s and 60’s named Harry “Suitcase” Simpson.

    Like
    Reply
  26. Northeasternskier

    2 years ago

    Sometimes a change in venue can invigorate a player. Yogi said baseball is 90% mental. If you’ve ever been to Alameda County Stadium where the A’s play you know it’s a #dump that is falling apart. Couple that with a losing, last place team. Now that he’s in a brand new stadium with the most storied sports franchise in history, the Yankees could catch lightning in a bottle for no risk whatsoever. This guy has a World Series ring from KC 2015. Maybe he only hits on winning teams. Hitting is contagious. There’s plenty of upside for a power switch hitter who is basically working for free by Yankee standards since Toronto is paying his most 83% of his salary..

    1 Like
    Reply
  27. whyhayzee

    2 years ago

    Now you go out and get a guy who injured himself celebrating a walk off homer?

    Like
    Reply

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