Mariners acquire Kendrys Morales from Twins

Jul 24, 2014, 12:10 PM | Updated: 2:42 pm

BY BRADY HENDERSON

Former Seattle Sports Lead Editor

The Mariners have acquired first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales from the Twins in exchange for reliever Stephen Pryor.

The Mariners announced the move Thursday, one week before MLB’s trade deadline. Morales is expected to join the club Friday.

Morales, 31, was the Mariners’ most productive hitter during the one season he spent in Seattle in 2013, leading the team with a .277 average and 80 RBIs while hitting 23 home runs.

He turned down multiple offers from Seattle and signed with Minnesota on June 8, hitting .234 with one home run and 18 RBIs in 39 games since then. The Mariners will reportedly pay the roughly $4.3 million that he’s owed for the remainder of the season. Morales signed with the Twins for $7.4 million, a prorated total that reflected the time he missed at the start of the season.

Pryor, 25, missed most of last season with a lat injury then began this season on the disabled list. He made one appearance for Seattle this season before he was optioned to Triple-A.

Seattle’s 40-man roster is now at 38.

Mariners insider Shannon Drayer will have more on this trade shortly.

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