The last time Kendrys Morales played in a game that counted at all, his first name was Kendry.
Does Healthy Kendrys Morales Mean Roster Crunch?
That was the 29th of May, 2010; he hit a game-winning grand slam in the 10th inning, and destroyed his tibia upon jumping on home plate.
Hey, don't blame the jump (even though the Angels still adhere to safety-first rules when celebrating); Morales probably had some weakness in that leg, which would eventually have given way, somehow. Still, you never know. Maybe if Morales hadn't celebrated his walk-off job so vigorously, everything would be different. Maybe Albert Pujols wouldn't be an Orange County Angel today, because Morales would have established himself as a star; before getting hurt, he seemed well on his way.
Thursday afternoon, Kendrys Morales played in a real game for the first time this spring, and collected a couple of hits against the Royals. Maybe he's really back this time. Which will present manager Mike Scioscia with a mighty interesting decision. Rotoworld opines of Morales, "Barring a setback, we're expecting him to be the team's Opening Day DH."
Perhaps. But if the switch-hitting Morales becomes the full-time DH, there's not a natural spot for Bobby Abreu, who's making $9 million this season. And if Abreu goes to left field, there's not a spot, natural or otherwise, for Vernon Wells, who's making $21 million this season ... not to mention $21 million next season, and another sweet $21 million the next season.
Of course, Scioscia could mix-and-match all three of those hitters, depending on who's pitching and who's healthy, and maybe add Mark Trumbo to the mélange, too. That is, after all, Scioscia's job. But if Kendrys Morales is really back, he should play regularly this season. In which case, there simply won't be room for everyone else.
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