Blue Jays: Kendrys Morales designated for assignment in New York

Former Blue Jay Kendrys Morales has already played for three MLB teams this year, and will not begin looking for a fourth after being DFA’d on Tuesday.

Back in spring training, the Blue Jays and their front office spent time reassuring their players and the fan base that they had enough veterans to help guide the youngsters that were joining their roster in 2019, despite moving on from guys like Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin and more.

The biggest part of the leadership task was supposed to fall on Kendrys Morales‘ shoulders, who was in the final season of a three-year pact he signed with the Blue Jays before the 2017 season. It was an extra bonus that he had an existing relationship with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., after having played with his father in Los Angeles earlier in his career, and watching the future #1 prospect grow up as a kid.

That all got thrown out the window on the eve of Opening Day, as Ross Atkins and the front office shipped the veteran switch-hitter to Oakland in order to create more opportunities for their emerging prospects. While Matt Olson was recovering from a broken hamate bone, Morales played 34 games in Oakland before eventually landing in New York after he was designated for assignment.

More from Jays Journal

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

Through a rash of injuries the New York Yankees scooped him up and he played 19 games for the Bronx Bombers before hitting the injury-list. While it’s nice that he’s finally healthy and was able to be activated on Tuesday, that led to the Yankees having to make a decision with his roster spot, which resulted in him being DFA’d for the second time this season.

It’s not hard to understand why he’s having a hard time sticking in the big leagues this season, as his production has been very rough, to say the least. He combined to slash .194/.313/.253 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 201 plate appearances. That kind of production isn’t going to cut it even if you’re a Gold Glove calibre defender, and we all Morales isn’t that either.

Unfortunately, it’s possible that this could be the end of the line for the 13-year veteran. With virtually no defensive value to offer, and his bat being ice-cold all season long, it may be tough to find another opportunity.