For Kendrys Morales, the long road from Seattle to purgatory to Minnesota just twisted its way back to the Emerald City.

After posting a respectable .277/23 HR/80 RBI season for the Mariners in 2013, Morales rejected the M's $14.1 million qualifying offer and became an unrestricted costless agent. With no offers forthcoming (any team signing him before the first-year player draft would forfeit a first round draft pick), Morales remained unsigned for two months until after the draft, when Minnesota inked him to a $7.4 million contract for the remainder of the season.

Morales' time in Minnesota was limited to 162 plate appearances, however, as the Mariners reacquired the 31-year-old 1B/DH in exchange for oft-injured minor league hurler Stephen Pryor. Morales will be in the Mariners' lineup for Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Morales languished in Minnesota

Morales did not impress in his limited time with the Twins, batting just .234 with one home run and 18 RBIs. However, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik clearly felt confident that the skills were still there and that his time in Minnesota was essentially 'spring training'.

"We know his career as a hitter, we know what he did here and now that he's in a pennant race and technically has spring training under his belt -- he did it at the Major League level -- I think we all feel that Kendrys is going to hit his stride and be the Kendrys Morales we all know," said Zduriencik.

Manager Lloyd McClendon's take on the trade

Never one to mince words, McClendon welcomed the addition of Morales to his struggling offense, which has scored the second-fewest runs in the American League. "He's a professional hitter," McClendon said. "He gives us the opportunity to stretch out our lineup, so to speak. He's a nice fit, switch-hitter, hitting behind Robbie (Cano). He gives us options, what we want to do with (Kyle) Seager, where we want to hit him," McClendon said. "I like it."

The Mariners are not likely done dealing

Seattle has been linked to multiple players in various trade rumors, including Tampa Bay's David Price, Philadelphia's Marlon Byrd, Pittsburgh's Starling Marte and others as well.

Given the remaining holes in right field, first base and — assuming Dustin Ackley's hot streak is a red herring — left field, another bat still appears to be a pressing need. Picking up one of the best pitchers in baseball, on the other hand (Price), may well end up being a metaphorical home run. Read my recent piece on the subject here.

The Major League trade deadline is 4 P.M. ET on July 31st.

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About the author
Walter McLaughlin
I am a 50 year old freelance writer and commercial banker living in the Seattle area. I have suffered through decades of Seattle sports futility, up until the Seahawks' dominating Super Bowl 48 victory. I am a lifelong Kings fan, as well as both a Mariners and Dodgers fan.