Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Kendrys Morales drawing interest could be good for Bucs
By Matt Shetler
If we take a second to step back from the saga involving A.J. Burnett and the Pittsburgh Pirates, all eyes should go back to the gaping hole at first base entering the 2014 season.
That brings me back to the name Kendrys Morales.
Sep 27, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (8) rounds the bases after hitting a solo-home run against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
This week I examined why I felt that even though he is the best name left on the market, Morales simply wouldn’t be a good fit for the Pirates.
However just because he wouldn’t be good in Pittsburgh doesn’t mean Morales can’t end up helping the Bucs in the short term.
According to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, during an appearance on MLB Network, Morales is starting to draw serious interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.
So how is that good news for the Bucs?
Either team signing Morales would likely have to move one off their pieces already on the roster. The most likely candidates include Toronto’s Adam Lind, Seattle’s Justin Smoak and the Rangers’ Mitch Moreland.
All three players have been linked to the Pirates at one time or another this offseason.
The Pirates might be a club that could swoop in on the trade market, says Heyman.
While things have seemed very slow as it pertains to the Pirates and the offseason, there is a pretty good chance that Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington is waiting for one final domino to fall before he steps in and makes his move.