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With one of A's most important players, out of business during the first two months of the regular season, the A's acquired first-baseman Kendrys Morales on Wednesday.
Oakland sent Toronto league player, Jesus Lopez, and the international slot fund to Morales, 35. The Blue Jays will be responsible for more than $ 10 million of the remaining $ 12 million due to Morales this season, according to a league source.
With Matt Olson missing, A's training was excessively heavy handed, with only two available batters and no left-handed hitter. Morales hit .274 with a .860 OPS against right – handed pitchers last year, and he hit 18 of his 21 right – handed starters.
"Kendrys has constantly moved right-handed throughout his career," said Oakland General Manager David Forst, adding that last year's results did not suggest any reduction in Morales' capabilities. "There is no doubt in our mind, he can continue to do it."
Morales has been mostly DH for seven seasons, but he told the A that he "really likes to play first base," Forst said, and he's eager to do it. He played only 18 games at the beginning of last year, but was defensively average in the league.
"It's not Matt Olson," Forst said. "But nobody else either."
The A should consider a first-base squad with Morales and right-hander Mark Canha. Canha averaged .282 against left-handed throwers last year and 13 of his 17 homers were left-handed.
Olson, who hit 29 home runs and won the Gold Glove honors at first base last year, broke a ham bone in his right hand as he taunted a pitch in Japan and had surgery on next day.
Morales, originally from Cuba, played for the Angels, Royals, Mariners, Twins and Blue Jays over his 12-year career, beating .268 with 211 homers and 728 RBIs in 1,310 games.
Lopez, 22, beat .238 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in Beloit last season.
Starter Jharel Cotton, who returns from Tommy John's operation, was placed on the 60-day DL to make room for Morales on the 40-man roster. Field player Franklin Barreto is likely to leave the list of 25 players to welcome Morales; This transaction may not be until Friday, as the opening match of the Oakland Openland on Thursday is a day game and the team is not sure they can do it in time.
Susan Slusser is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @susanslusser
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