Morales returns to Seattle after departing in offseason

SEATTLE -- Kendrys Morales made his return to Safeco Field on Monday, and said that he was never close to re-signing with the Mariners in the offseason.

Morales, who played with the Mariners last season, turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer in the offseason. He didn't sign with the Twins until June 8, signing a one-year, $12 million prorated contract worth roughly $7.6 million.

Morales said he knew it wouldn't be easy to find a multi-year deal, but he took his chances this offseason and it simply didn't work out.

"I knew it was going to be tough looking for another job," Morales said through a translator. "But in my heart, I just didn't want to be back here in the same spot. I was just taking my chances to see if there was something better."

Morales is still working on getting his timing back given his long layoff, but he said it didn't feel too strange to be back in Seattle with a new team.

"It's not a different feeling," Morales said. "I'm just here with a different shirt on. I'm just here with the Twins."