Angels' Morales dumps Hendricks Sports Management for Boras

The Angels' breakout star of 2009, Kendry Morales, has left Hendricks Sports Management and signed with Scott Boras.

The first baseman had been at odds with his former agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks, for several weeks over some financial matters, according to several Latin America baseball sources.

"Kendry contacted us about representing him," Boras told SI.com. "We're please to have the opportunity to advise him on his career."

The 26-year-old hit .306 for the Angels last season with 34 homers -- sixth-most in the American League -- while posting an on-base/slugging percentage of .924 in his first season as a major league starter.

Defensively, Morales filled in ably for Gold Glove first baseman Mark Teixeira, another Boras client, who left the Angels after the 2008 season via free agency for the Yankees. In a recent MLB.com report, Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said of Morales: "He now realizes he can be a superstar in America. Mark my words, with Kendry the sky is the limit."

With just one year left on his contract, Morales most likely is in line for a hefty raise. His contract pays him $700,000 in 2010 and he will be eligible for arbitration in 2011. The switch-hitter has slightly over two years of service and, per contract rules, needs six to be eligible for free agency. Morales signed as a free agent with the Angels in 2004 after defecting from his native Cuba and relocating to the Dominican Republic.

Sources say Morales was instrumental in luring fellow Cuban and highly-sought free-agent Aroldis Chapman from Edwin Mejia, his agent at Athletes Premier International, to the Hendricks brothers. Chapman signed a $30 million contract last month with the Hendrickses representing him.

Neither Randy nor Alan Hendricks immediately returned messages left by SI.com. Morales did not immediately return a voicemail.

Morales' addition to Boras' client roster came the same day as news of free-agent infielder FelipeLopez's departure. Lopez and Boras parted ways after the infielder reportedly expressed frustration that he remains unsigned. The 29-year-old hit .310 with a .383 on-base percentage in 2009 for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers.

"We know how frustrating it is when a player can't get a starting job from any one of the 30 teams," Boras says. "We wish Felipe well. He's a very talented player."

The Cardinals have expressed interest in Lopez. The Rockies sought his services before abruptly changing course and signing veteran free-agent third baseman Melvin Mora.