Kendrys Morales to reject the Mariners' qualifying offer
By Craig CalcaterraOct 8, 2013, 5:35 PM EDT
A week or so ago it was reported that the Mariners would make a qualifying offer to pending free agent Kendrys Morales. Jon Heyman reports today that Morales is likely to reject said offer when it comes:
Morales will turn down the qualifying offer, as he'd expect to hit it much bigger in a market flush with cash but bereft of power … The qualifying offer is expected to be about $13.8 million. MLB.com first reported the Mariners are likely to extend the offer.
I think it's kind of nuts that the Mariners were going to extend a qualifying offer to Morales. But hey, if they want to keep him, sure. I think it's a bit more nuts for Morales to reject it.
Yes, he has some power. But he's basically a DH who is 30 years-old. Those are the sorts of guys who we tend to write "[Player X] still looking to latch on someplace" posts about in late January.
Morales lost untold millions when he broke his ankle and missed two years after a home run celebration. I feel like he's going to cost himself more millions by putting himself out on the market rather than guaranteeing himself nearly $14 million this winter.