Rick Osentoski – USA TODAY Sports
MLB free agents who are represented by Scott Boras usually wind up disappointed by the end of the offseason. As good as Boras is at his job, he oftentimes leads his clients down the wrong path. For instance, Michael Bourn was a free agent last winter and was thoroughly misled by Boras. When the 2012 offseason began, Bourn was reportedly looking for a B.J. Upton-like contract considering the Atlanta Braves‘ centerfielder was fresh off of an All-Star campaign.
Needless to say; Bourn got his payday, but it wasn’t the mega-deal Boras had him expecting — Bourn wound up signing a four-year deal worth $48 million with the Cleveland Indians in the second week of February.
Fast forward to 2013 and Kendrys Morales is the one who needs to avoid falling into the Boras trap. Seattle Mariners fans loved what Morales brought to the table last season as he led the team in batting average (.277), RBI (80) and extra-base hits (57) in just his first season in Seattle. However, Morales spent 122 games at the designated hitter position and was limited to a mere 31 games at first base.
Therefore, national league teams would be wise to avoid Morales considering he lacks the ability to be an everyday first baseman at this stage in his career. On top of that, Morales was given a qualifying offer worth $14.1 million from the Mariners, which means any team wanting Morales’ services would have to forfeit a first-round selection. At 30 years old, Morales is surely not worth a first-round pick.
Hence, the veteran designated hitter would be wise to accept the Mariners’ generous offer and stay in Seattle for at least one more season.
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
