Jays trade Kendrys Morales to Oakland on eve of opener
Veteran DH sent to A's for minor-league prospect
Veteran designated hitter Kendrys Morales was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.
The Blue Jays get minor league infielder Jesus Lopez and $1 million in international signing bonus pool allocation. Toronto will pay Oakland $11,445,000, meaning Morales costs Oakland only the $555,000 minimum.
The switch-hitting Morales hit .249 with 21 homers and 57 RBIs in 130 games last season for Toronto. Morales is getting $12 million in the final year of a $33 million, three-year contract.
The switch-hitter played two seasons in Toronto, combining to hit .249 with 40 doubles, 49 home runs, and 142 RBIs across 280 games.
Morales has a career average of .268 and 211 home runs over 12 MLB seasons with the Jays, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Royals.
Really sad to see KMo go.. never let our language barrier get in the way of giving me advice or pointers during games/practice. Doesn’t get any credit for being a leader but what he does behind the scenes for those young kids is unbelievable. Good luck kmo
—@KPILLAR4The 22-year-old right-handed hitter has batted .221 with 68 extra-base hits and 111 RBIs across 333 games over five minor league seasons.