Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Rumor Mill: Michael Morse


The Nationals and Adam LaRoche have come to terms on a contract worth $24 million over two years. LaRoche believed he could get three years initially, but the draft pick compensation tied to his signing with another team kept his price lower. Since the agreement has been announced, the Nationals have put OF/1B/SS Michael Morse on the trading block. Morse, 30, is one season from free agency and would provide the Yankees with a right handed power bat that could DH and could also play the outfield to give one of their three lefties a day off. Morse also would fill the Yankees needs in several categories. He is a proven player, he will be 31 years old at the beginning of the 2013 season and he is a short term fix, which is something that the Yankees are looking for in an outfield bat.
 
Morse's best season came in 2011 with the Nat's where he hit .301, smacked 31 homers and drove in 95 runs. Essentially, he is a Nick Swisher-type player who hits from the right side. Morse would fit well in the Yankees batting order, hitting sixth or seventh after Youkilis or Teixeira. According to several outlets, the Yankees have shown interest in the hours since the LaRoche deal was announced. It could be that they are doing preliminary research on Morse, but if he lands in the Bronx, I feel confident that he can return to his 2011 self surrounded by all of the great hitters in the Yankee lineup.

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