Kansas City Royals: Mike Morin claimed off waivers by Mariners

Days after signing Mike Morin to a one-year deal, the Kansas City Royals designated the right-hander for assignment. Seattle claimed the reliever on Friday.

Life comes at you fast. Barely a week ago, the Kansas City Royals signed Mike Morin to a one-year deal. Now, the right-handed pitcher is on his way to Seattle as a consolation prize for the Mariners, who missed out on Japanese star Shohei Ohtani.

Morin inked his deal last Friday ahead of the tender deadline. It would seem odd for the Kansas City Royals to add Morin to the 40-man roster only to designate him for assignment less than a week later. But the likely explanation would be that he became dispensable after the club signed Wily Peralta on Wednesday and Scott Barlow on Thursday. With Morin gone, the 40-man roster now has two open slots.

Here’s the tweet from the official Kansas City Royals account announcing Morin had been claimed:

According to Maria Torres of the Kansas City Star, the Royals will still be responsible for paying part of Morin’s 2018 salary:

"Morin’s contract will remain, in part, on the Royals’ payroll. The Mariners will pay the league minimum salary and split the difference with the Royals."

Luckily for the organization, Morin, who graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School, won’t make a ton of money this coming season. It could be worse. I mean the franchise continues to pay Omar Infante not to play for them.

So what is Seattle getting?

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The Mariners should be familiar with Morin. The 26-year-old spent the first three-and-a-half years of his career with the Angels, who drafted him in the 13th round of the 2012 draft. During his time in Los Angeles, Morin compiled a 10-8 record over 177 appearances — all out of the bullpen. He put up a 4.49 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over that span.

The Kansas City Royals claimed Morin off waivers on Sept. 12. He made six appearances, totaling 5 2/3 innings, before the season ended. Despite an ugly 7.94 ERA, his FIP of 2.63 tells another story. Morin struck out six batters but walked three in his limited time with the Royals, who drafted him in the 40th round out of high school.

While his stay in Kansas City proved short — so short, in fact, our Getty Images vault had zero photos of him in a Royals uniform, Morin will hopefully reflect fondly on his time playing for the Boys in Blue.

Next: How Royals can make 2018 playoffs

What do you think? Should the Kansas City Royals have just non-tendered Morin? Let us know your thoughts.