MLB Rumors: Kendrys Morales has turned down multiple contract offers from Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners need more pop for their lineup. Kendrys Morales needs a team. It only seems logical that the two sides have a chance to get back together for another season in 2014.

Morales turned down Seattle’s qualifying offer at the beginning of off-season. The draft pick that became part of the picture at that point continues to be a lingering issue.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Mariners have made multiple offers to Morales this off-season. He has not accepted any of them, likely because the terms of the deal were tempered by the fact that Seattle would be giving up the chance to get that extra pick.

"The Mariners have made multiple contract proposals to Morales since he rejected their qualifying offer, sources say. But those proposals likely took into account that the M’s would lose the draft pick and accompanying pool money they stand to gain if Morales signs with another club.”"

If a deal does not get done in the remaining days of Spring Training, two key deadlines loom. The first is Opening Day; after that day Morales could sign a one-year deal and not be subject to another qualifying offer a year from now. At that point Morales might be more motivated to sign and settle for a one-year “show me” deal.

The second date is the June amateur draft, after which point interested teams will not have to surrender a compensatory pick to sign Morales. If he waits until then, Morales has a better chance to get a multi-year deal.

Now each side has a decision to make. Morales has to decide if he’s willing to wait until June to get on the field, while the Mariners (or any other team…eh hem, the Pirates…) have to decide if they can afford to pass on the chance to bolster their lineup.