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Report: Blue Jays agree to 3-year deal with Morales

Peter G. Aiken / USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $33-million deal with free-agent designated hitter Kendrys Morales, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The deal is pending a physical, sources told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. Morales was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Kansas City Royals, meaning the Blue Jays won't have to surrender a draft pick as a result of this signing.

Morales is primarily a designated hitter at this stage of his career, as the 33-year-old's played just 16 games at first base over his last two seasons. If the Blue Jays' roster remains the same as presently constructed, they would have Morales and Justin Smoak holding down first base and designated hitter.

Related: Kendrys Morales' fantasy value is at an all-time high with move to Toronto

The signing leaves free agent Edwin Encarnacion's future in Toronto unclear. Encarnacion, who's spent the last eight seasons in Toronto, can play both first base and DH, meaning he and Morales could share time in the same lineup. However, Heyman reported that the signing of Morales makes Encarnacion's return to Toronto "less likely."

Morales, a native of Cuba, hit .263/.327/.468 with 30 homers with the Royals in 2016. He was the team's DH for the last two years, and helped them win the 2015 World Series.

Across 10 big-league seasons with the Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners, Morales owns a .273/.331/.465 slash line with 162 home runs and 215 doubles.

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