M’s Morse Brings a New Attitude and New Body in 2nd Stint With Team

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — To be clear, it's Michael, not Mike Morse. That's one of the things that has changed since the last time Morse was a member of the Seattle Mariners more than three years ago. And there's more. His annual income went from the $407,000 he was making when he was traded from the Mariners to the Washington Nationals in June 2009 to the $6.75 million in base salary he'll make in 2013. Morse is also bigger, some 30 pounds bulkier. He has found a position, corner outfield, after being a utility player in his first go-round with the Mariners. He's in the starting nine and is expected to be a major key to improving a Mariners offense that struggled with production in 2012.And he's picked up a nickname, "Beast."

Associated Press