Just days after Royals general manager Dayton Moore said the team had interest in bringing back free-agent designated hitter Kendrys Morales, he signed a multiyear deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to online reports.
Christopher Meola reported that Morales will sign a three-year, $33 million contract. USA Today and Fox Sports confirmed the deal.
Morales, who batted .263/.327/.468 with 30 home runs last season for the Royals, became a free agent at the end of the season.
Morales, 33, signed a two-year $17 million contract with the Royals after the 2014 season to fill the void left by Billy Butler. The A's had signed Billy Butler weeks before Morales signed with the Royals.
In two seasons with the Royals, Morales had 52 homers, 65 doubles and 199 RBIs.
Earlier this week, Royals general manger Dayton Moore talked with The Star's Rustin Dodd about Morales at the annual general manager meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz.
"Kendrys was crucial for us," Moore said. "The switch-hit (ability), the leadership. He was a highly productive player for us. We'll definitely have some ground to make up there, if he's not with us."
At first blush, losing Morales will affect the Royals' offense, which finished 13th in the American League in runs scored.
Morales' home runs, slugging percentage (.468) and on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.795) were all tops on the Royals among players who played in more than 60 games.
