Morse hopes to have positive impact with Bucs
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Michael Morse thought he was set up for a happy homecoming this season.
The veteran first baseman/outfielder signed a two-year, $16-million contract with his hometown Miami Marlins in the offseason as a free agent after helping the San Francisco Giants win the World Series last year.
However, the homecoming turned into a nightmare. He hit just .212 with four home runs in 53 games then was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last Thursday in a three-team trade that also included the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers designed Morse for assignment as soon as the trade was completed then traded him to the Pirates the next day for Class AAA Indianapolis outfielder Jose Tabata.
So what happened in Miami?
鈥淚 was playing at home and was with my wife all season,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et蘑菇视频 blame it on her.鈥�
Morse was quick to point out he was just kidding then admitted he really doesn鈥檛 have any answer.
鈥淚t was just a weird year,鈥� he said. 鈥淲eird for me and the team. We had high hopes at the start of the season and things just didn鈥檛 work out.鈥�
The Marlins are in fourth place in the National League East but the 33-year-old Morse is hopeful that a move to a contending team will rejuvenate him. In fact, he is flattered to be in demand.
鈥淲ith the year I was having with the Marlins, for two teams that are as good as the Dodgers and the Pirates to want me, it makes me feel like I鈥檝e been doing something right,鈥� Morse said. 鈥淚 know what I can offer to a team, and I plan on doing that.鈥�
The Pirates are hoping that Morse can be a formidable platoon partner with left-handed hitting Pedro Alvarez and also provide some right-hander pop off the bench.
Morse has a .276 lifetime batting average over 11 seasons and has averaged 22 home runs and 74 RBIs per 162 games.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e going to play the odds, why not play them on him having his best two months of the seasons with us?鈥� Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. 鈥淗e has had seasons where he has been a very productive hitter.鈥�
And Morse figures helping the Pirates get to the postseason for a third consecutive season can make up for a miserable first two-thirds of the season.
鈥淭his team has been fun to watch from the other side,鈥� Morse said. 鈥淚t鈥檒l be even better to be a part of it. These guys are all about winning and so am I.鈥�