The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and San Francisco Giants became targets today, as Scott Boras identified them as possible landing spots for free agent Kendrys Morales. The market surrounding Morales has been slow thanks to the additional cost of a first round draft pick on top of any contract.
Kendrys Morales rumors: Scott Boras tries to lure Angels, Giants
San Francisco and Los Angeles are mentioned by name as Scott Boras tries to drum up interest in his client
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
“[I] just cannot see Kendry Morales signing until after the draft” a general manager told Peter Gammons on Wednesday.
Convinced that he can best the 1 year, $14 million qualifying offer that his client previously declined, Boras mentioned the Giants as a destination for Morales, with current first baseman Brandon Belt moving to the outfield. For their part though, the Giants are resolute in retaining their 14th overall pick, something they'd have to give up to acquire Morales.
With many teams preferring to use the designated hitter to rotate players through and National League teams unable to stash the lumbering Morales at DH, Morales' already thin market is getting thinner. A return to the Mariners seemingly vanished on Wednesday, as they signed Corey Hart and traded for Logan Morrison.
While premium free agents like Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann have all signed despite the extra cost of a first round selection, it's the mid-tier players like Nelson Cruz and Kendrys Morales who are hurt the most. Boras often gets the contract he seeks in the end (see: Lohse, Kyle), and it wouldn't be surprising to see him talk some team into a lifetime .280/.333/.480 hitter at a time when power is at a premium.
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