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Seattle Mariners first baseman and designated hitter Kendry Morales has been claimed off of waivers by an unknown team according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
Kendrys Morales has been claimed on trade waivers, source says. If a trade is coming, it will happen this week. @FOXSports1
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 26, 2013
Morales was the subject of trade rumors prior to the July 31 Non-Waiver trade deadline, but the Mariners stand their ground and not trade some of their attractive chips. It is likely that a playoff contender claimed Morales off of waivers to add depth at the DH/1B position. Justin Morneau is another option at 1B/DH for contending teams, but Morales is making less money that than the Minnesota Twins' first basemen.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports speculated that Baltimore could be a team that would make sense for Morales. The Pirates are another team, but the Orioles have a higher spot in the waivers claim process.
The former LA Angel has a reasonable salary. His salary for the 2013 is $5.25M, meaning that he has about $1M due for the rest of the season. Morales is a free agent at the end of the season, making him a likely rental player.
Morales is having a very solid season, hitting .284 with 17 HR, 67 RBI and a .340 OBP.