The Athletics have designate first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales for assignment, manager Bob Melvin announced Monday in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (Twitter link, with audio). His spot on the active roster will go to Mark Canha, who has been activated from the injured list.
“Unfortunately, we had to let him go,” Melvin said of the decision to designate Morales. “I’ll tell you what, this guy, maybe he didn’t put up great numbers, but this is a terrific teammate. Yesterday, he didn’t play, and there’s a lot of speculation about him going away, and all he’s doing is rooting for every guy we have on every pitch. … Unfortunately, we don’t have room for him right now, and somebody’s going to pick him up. I know that, but boy, we really enjoyed our time with him. He’s a real pro.”
It was indeed a struggle for Morales, 35, during his limited time with the A’s. Oakland acquired him in late March after losing Matt Olson to a hand injury, and Morales saw pretty regular playing time at first base and DH. However, in his 126 plate appearances with the organization, he hit just .204/.310/.259 with one home run.
Morales drew his share of walks and didn’t strike out at a high clip, but the veteran slugger wasn’t able to produce enough at the plate for the organization to consider retaining him as a bench bat now that Olson is back in the lineup. With Olson and Canha both healthy and Khris Davis entrenched at designated hitter, there’s not much of a role in Oakland for Morales at this point.
The Athletics will have a week to trade or release Morales. Though he played the field in Oakland, most clubs will look at him as a pure DH option, so he’s likeliest to land with an American League club. The Indians have been mixing at matching throughout their lineup all season and parted ways with Hanley Ramirez already, while the Twins are evaluating Nelson Cruz for a potential injury. Morales could also latch on with a non-contender who hopes to bring in a veteran leader that can mentor a younger, developing core of players.
Why not send down someone or DFA Rodney
Since Olson came back Morales got his starting job taken away and he’s practically useless on the bench.
Because he was a temporary placeholder for the return of Matt Olson. With Canha on the IL (being the backup 1B), Khris Davis out a few games with a bruised hip, and Pinder being the super-utility guy, there was an open spot in the batting order. Now there’s not.
I forgot about Canha. Makes more sense know thanks
I suspect that the .204 avg. could be part of the problem – great guy aside, you’re not a very appealing bench bat when you’re hovering around the Mendoza line
Rodney should be next and call up Blackburn or Wang or Schlitter.
No… anything but Schlitter.
Merry Christmas!
Schlitter was full!
Schlitter blown saves, the gift that keeps on giving!
Few guys are pitching at least ok in that staff. I get the sense Las Vegas is a definite hitters park with so many position guys hitting great.
Not just Las Vegas. There are some good hitters parks amongst the teams Vegas plays against in the PCL.
Good riddance. I know it sounds harsh, but he’s washed up and just can’t hit anymore.
Next move should be getting rid of Grossman and bringing up Bolt.
Martini is rehabbing right now, so he probably gets first crack. Again.
I liked what I saw out of Martini last year, so wouldn’t mind that at all. Just can’t stand watching Grossman hit.
Grossman and martini are actually dimilar type hittera with grossman more of a trackrecord and obviously more expensive
It seems like he’s trying to get a walk every time
I like my Martinis shaken, not stirred.
I’d take my Martinis either way, because I’m afraid of what a shaken OR stirred Grossman looks like.
I wonder what Grossman could get in a trade, he’s controllable through 2020 but he’s not worth keeping on a contender as his non-factorness through 33 straight games shows. He’s got some decent tools but only legit hitters can hit at the Coliseum and Grossman isn’t one of those, he’s a platoon-type. In a hitter-friendly park he’d be an asset for sure, but Nick Martini and his .809 OPS at the Coliseum is most likely better, or at least deserves a chance to match this. Grossman has a career .580 OPS at the Coli and .446 this year.
Martini > Grossman all day.
I’d love a Profar phantom IL placement followed by a Mateo call up next please!
If nelson cruz injury is serious i wonder if morales can fit with twins for short term DH
I didn’t dislike his tenure as an A. With Olson back and smacking the ball all over the field though, he’s beyond superfluous.
If Nelson Cruz hits the IL perhaps Kendrys has another temporary home in MN.
Perhaps, I think Sanyo gets that spot though
All these aspiring A’s GM’s….
This is kind of a question for As fans how is Wang doing ? He was starting to come on at the end of his Brewers stint. He was definitely a person where the Rule V rule was hurting his career
3.86 ERA with a 3:1 K/BB ratio in what could probably be considered a hitter’s division. Somehow both his FIP AND xFIP are above 5, though, so I have no actual idea.
The jays are already paying most of his salary and Vlad can’t hit right now. Maybe morales can come back and mentor. He himself has been terrible but Drury has been arguably worse
Not sure why they’re keeping Davis, at a .235 avg he’s clearly slipping.
He is making 10 million from the Jays this year , cheering from the bench or having a beer in Cuba. Yes amazing he has such a good attitude.
CLE could use a little help in the DH area.