Seattle Mariners Rumors: Kendrys Morales Playing a Risky Game
By Todd Pheifer
Jul 4, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (8) bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Texas won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Kendrys Morales still needs a job. The Seattle Mariners are seemingly still interested in his services. Despite this possibility there is no movement, even with reports that the Mariners have extended several contract offers.
What is Morales waiting for? Does he really believe that the Mariners or another team will suddenly come to their senses and offer a lucrative, multi-year contract?
It is apparent that both sides feel like they can wait. The Mariners may feel like they can move forward without Morales. Morales may feel like he will eventually get an offer when players slump or get injured.
They may both be right…eventually.
Morales may be the one who is assuming the biggest risk at this point. He may eventually get a contract offer, but at the moment he is making a grand total of zero dollars.
Is this as much about agent Scott Boras as it is about Morales? Boras has been very vocal in his critique of the current system, which provides compensation to teams when free agents leave. As I mentioned in a previous article, the irony is that Boras may have contributed to the current system of awarding compensatory draft picks. If Morales signs for less than $14.1 million, it will show that Boras made a critical error.
The cold, hard reality is that the market has changed. There are certainly players that continue to get massive deals, such as Robinson Cano. Unfortunately for Morales, there are other athletes that did not get what they originally hoped. You know who you are, Nelson Cruz and Ervin Santana.
Does Morales really want to practice swinging in a batting cage from now until June? Probably not. If he keeps rejecting contract offers, that may his only choice.