Blue Jays trade Kendrys Morales to Oakland A's

Just when the Blue Jays’ roster appeared to be set for Opening Day, the team went out and swung a deal, trading DH Kendrys Morales to the Oakland A’s.

The trade, originally reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, will send Morales and cash considerations to Oakland in exchange for INF Jesus Lopez and some space in the international signing bonus pool from the Athletics.

The 35-year-old was signed to a three-year deal by Toronto in November of 2016. It was a move that essentially ended the Edwin Encarnacion era in the 6ix.

The 2015 World Series champion collected 49 home runs and 142 RBIs in his two seasons with the Blue Jays. He hit .249 in 280 games with the squad, just under his career average of .268.

Morales started 220 games in the blue and white as the team’s designated hitter and began 29 contests at first base.

Although his work defensively has been limited in the last two seasons, he’s expected to play first base in Oakland while Matt Olson recovers from a hand injury, as reported by Passan.

Lopez is a 22-year-old from Nicaragua who played in 84 games at low-A Beloit last year, according to Sportnet’s Shi Davidi.

With the $12 million that Morales was supposed to make in 2019 gone, Justin Smoak becomes the highest-paid player on Toronto’s Opening Day roster. The 32-year-old is set to make $8 million this season.

Furthermore, the deal appears to have opened the door for Anthony Alford to join the team’s crop of outfielders. The 24-year-old has seen action in 17 games for the Blue Jays in the last two seasons.

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