Blue Jays Sign Kendrys Morales To A 3 Year, $33 Million Deal

After spending $22 million on Lourdes Gurriel Jr. earlier in the day, the Blue Jays have continued their busy day by inking designated hitter Kendrys Morales to a 3 year, $33 million contract. Morales played just 53 innings in the field last season, so you have to wonder if this closes the door on Edwin Encarnacion.

Morales is a switch hitter who is usually slightly better against right-handed starters. He hit thirty home runs last season and will help offset Toronto's abundance of right-handed hitters. His 2016 season began with a horrible slump in April and May, before heating up from June onwards.

I mentioned Morales as a player to avoid in free agency, despite his big bat. He is a very slow baserunner, and Toronto will have a hard time giving a position player a half a day off in the field. The Blue Jays will hope he gets back to his 2015 form, as he hit for a .290 average and got on base at a .362 clip.

The deal was first reported here:

Kendry Morales deal with the Blue Jays is for 3 years.

— Christopher meola (@DfineNrmLC) November 11, 2016

Ken Rosethal of Fox Sports first told us that the Jays were making a push for Morales, and has now also reported the 3 year, $33 million agreement.