Oakland Athletics acquire Kendrys Morales to play first base

On Wednesday evening, the Oakland Athletics acquired Kendrys Morale from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Oakland Athletics have found themselves in a bit of trouble when it came to first base. Matt Olson, the regular first baseman, was placed on the injured list after undergoing surgery on his right hand. As Olson is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, the A’s needed someone capable of playing first to slot into the lineup.

Late on Wednesday night, Oakland made a trade to fill that hole in the lineup. They have acquired Kendrys Morales from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor leaguer Jesus Lopez and international bonus money. In addition, the Blue Jays will be paying $10 million of the remaining $12 million due in the final year of Morales’ contract.

Morales is an interesting acquisition to play first. Since breaking his leg in 2010, he has served primarily as a designated hitter, with no more than 31 appearances at first in a season from 2012 onward. Chances are, the switch hitting Morales will form a platoon with Mark Cahna, who has performed well against lefties.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Morales had a relatively solid year in 2018. He produced a respectable .249/.331/.438 batting line, hitting 21 homers. He has hit 20 or more homers in seven of his 12 major league seasons, giving the A’s another power threat in the middle of their lineup.

Lopez, who was sent to the Blue Jays, was not considered to be one of Oakland’s top 30 prospects. A utility infielder, he spent all of 2018 with the Beloit Snappers in the Midwest League, producing a .239/.293/.402 batting line in 326 plate appearances, hitting ten homers and 15 doubles. Lopez has spent time at second, third, and short during his minor league career.

This move does lead to questions once Olson returns. Khris Davis is the A’s primary designated hitter, making only 11 appearances in the outfield last season. Morales may not have a position once Olson is healthy, and could be on the move once again come the end of May.

For now, the Oakland Athletics have solidified first base by acquiring Kendrys Morales from the Toronto Blue Jays. However, one has to wonder how long he will be a part of the A’s this season.