Kendrys brings balance, veteran bat to A's lineup

Switch-hitting Morales acquired in trade; Barreto optioned to Triple-A

March 29th, 2019
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OAKLAND -- The A's addressed multiple needs with a single player by acquiring from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Morales, whose addition was announced Wednesday, can fill in at first base while Gold Glove winner Matt Olson recovers from the surgical removal of his right hamate bone. Olson is expected to be sidelined for four to eight weeks.

A's manager Bob Melvin said Morales will make his Oakland debut by starting in Friday night's rematch against the Los Angeles Angels beginning at 7:07 PT.

"It's obviously a very talented team," Morales said after Oakland's 4-0 victory Thursday over the Los Angeles Angels. "There's a lot of young talent here."

To obtain Morales, who has exceeded 20 home runs seven times in 12 big league seasons, the A's sent Minor League infielder Jesus Lopez and international slot money to Toronto. Utility man Franklin Barreto was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to accommodate Morales on Oakland's 25-man active roster.

Olson's anticipated replacements prior to Morales' arrival were adequate but not ideal. The A's stationed three different players at first base during last week's two-game series against Seattle in Tokyo, matching the number of first basemen they used throughout the entire 2018 season.

Mark Canha's career ratio of outfield appearances to games at first base was nearly 2 1/2 to 1. Chad Pinder, who's valuable at other positions, also played first. Jurickson Profar, another anticipated backup, was more than willing to help the team by playing first but admitted that he wasn't overly comfortable with moving around the infield.

"I'd love to focus on one position," said Profar, Oakland's projected everyday second baseman who started at first base on Thursday. "It's better for the mind."

Morales, meanwhile, has no trouble focusing with a bat in his hands. As a switch-hitter, the 35-year-old is expected to provide balance in Oakland's right-handed-heavy lineup.

Morales has recorded a career slash line of .268/.328/.460 with 211 home runs and 728 RBIs for five teams.

"He's always a threat," Melvin said of Morales, who reported to the ballpark about an hour before Thursday's first pitch. "He's a home run hitter, so he'll fit in with our team."

Morales is owed $12 million on the final year of the three-year deal he signed with Toronto. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Blue Jays are sending more than $10 million to the A's. Right-hander Jharel Cotton has been placed on the 60-day injured list to make room for Morales on Oakland's 40-man roster.

Melvin acknowledged that Barreto's return to Triple-A was unfair for him after he excelled during Spring Training. In 17 exhibition games, Barreto slashed .351/.429/.541.

"He really didn't do anything to warrant [being demoted]," Melvin said. "It was just a numbers game with him, with the three-man bench. He's got to wait a little bit longer for the opportunity."

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Chris Haft covered the Major Leagues starting in 1991 and worked for MLB.com from 2007-2020.