Kendrys Morales knocked in a mere 200 runs while being a Royal for the past 2 seasons. His continuous of his rejuvenated career shall continue on in Toronto. He has a career batting average of .292 against the AL East. Morales’ new contract of $33 million over 3 seasons is a bargain considering the market today. The slugging switch-hitter may not be back to his 2009 MVP candidate type form, but he is pretty close.
Other than putting up a .575 OWn% (winning percentage of a team with 9 of that player in the lineup) during his time in Kansas City, he has had some injury tendencies. Over his career a pattern has developed. He will have 1 or 2 good years, then injuries limit his performance the very next season. After two good campaigns in a row, the Jays are depending on that pattern not continuing in 17′. Other than his MVP candidate season in 09′, Morales’ secondary average hasn’t been as high as it now since then. Kendrys may reach the milestone 200 homers in Rogers Center in 17′, but how hard will that be to achieve?
This signing has more meaning than just adding another good bat for the Jays. It means that bringing back Encarnacion and Bautista is unlikely. But, if the rumors are true that the Jays do not plan to bring back their two premier sluggers, than how will Morales get protection in the lineup? Without those two players Morales may not have as much protection, but potentially batting behind Tulo and Donaldson, Morales should be just fine. Losing Encarnacion and Bautista is not a big loss, as Morales adds a new dynamic as the a switch-hitter in the DH role for Toronto.
