Rays Re-Sign Logan Morrison: Fantasy Baseball Impact

By Bill Pivetz | Feb 3, 2017

Jul 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Logan Morrison (7) during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rays re-signed Logan Morrison, announced Friday afternoon. With the likelihood that he plays first base, what is the fantasy impact of the signing?

The Tampa Bay Rays added a couple of bats this offseason, but it didn’t seem like enough. This led to the front office bringing back first baseman Logan Morrison. While his overall numbers didn’t look good, he improved after the first month. With Morrison back in the mix, how does this affect the Rays lineup?

In his first and only season with the Rays last year, he hit .238 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI. He only played in 107 games but was able to post a .319 on-base percentage with 37 walks and 18 doubles.

When April was over, Morrison had a .100/.156/.133 line with six hits and a 25:4 K:BB ratio. The next month, he finished with a .351 average, three home runs and 11 RBI. The power increased further in June when he hit five home runs and 16 RBI, but his average dropped to .229.

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Now that Morrison is back in the mix, Brad Miller, who was slated to be the starting first baseman, will go to second base now that Logan Forsythe is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miller gives the Rays a bit of flexibility and could spell Morrison should he need a rest day or two.

Morrison’s season was cut short due to a wrist injury in September. He also missed 16 games between July and August. He played in over 140 games just once in his career, so the probably he does it in 2017 is very low.

This keeps the rumor alive that the Rays hold an interest in former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Chris Carter. The team sent out feelers, but nothing developed. The Rays could employ a platoon between the two, but it’s just a rumor at this point.

I haven’t updated my position rankings fully, but Morrison will rank outside my top-20 at the position. There are those with higher floors and upside that I trust a little more.

Next: Is Jose Abreu still elite?

If Morrison can stay healthy, I expect a 17 HR/58 RBI/.250. That isn’t the greatest stat line in the world, but as a late-draft flier, those are the numbers you aim for. But, it all rests on Morrison’s ability to play at least 140 games. If Carter does end up on the Rays, I would like his value just a bit more.

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