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You get used to hearing it. Scott Baker has said it. Carl Pavano. Josh Willingham. Mike Pelfrey. It's only a matter of time until Kurt Suzuki says it. Still, every once in a while the standard athlete-speak that we get used to hearing comes from a corner you don't expect. In this case, it sounds like even Kendrys Morales isn't immune to the charm of sticking with the team.
Talked w/ Scott Boras. Gushed about how much Morales likes it here. Said a long-term marriage is certainly in play. #mntwins
— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) July 14, 2014
Why does he want to stay with a team that won't contend this season? It's hard to say for sure, but we can take a few guesses.
- Morales was hard up for a job over the winter and, in spite of or perhaps because of his late start, he doesn't want to risk hitting the open market again.
- It's possible that his performance is playing into it - he's driven in some runs but hasn't been particularly productive otherwise - which is a combination enough to make anyone pledge their love to a team if it means they'll have a better chance at getting paid the next year.
- Morales knows the Twins are likely to be a serious contender in the next year or two, provided a couple of quality Major League additions, and either wants to be a part of the turnaround or feels there is job security in wanting to be one of those quality veteran players.
- He really does straight up want to be a Twin and loves it as much as we've been told he does.