Phillies could target Morse in 2014

When Mike Morse hit his towering 451-foot blast off of Tyler Cloyd in late September, the Phillies rookie pitcher couldn’t help but watch along with the rest of Citizens Bank Park.

Morse’s moon shot, one of the best struck balls in the park’s brief history, landed in the Nationals’ bullpen, just a few feet from Ashburn Alley. After the game, Morse was asked how he likes hitting in the Phillies’ yard after stroking two homers off Cloyd.

“I love to hit here,” Morse said. “Who wouldn’t want to hit in this park? It’s an awesome place to play. The ball carries so well and it’s fun to play here since the fans are so into it. I’d rather play in front of fans, even if they’re rooting for the other team, that are amped up. It’s just a good environment in Philly.”

Well, perhaps Morse will be the Phillies’ next big free agent signing — after the 2013 season. The hulking corner outfielder/first baseman is in his walk year.

It’s incomprehensible but true that Morse is on the market after Washington re-signed free agent Adam LaRoche to play first base. Morse lost his outfield gig when the Nats traded for center fielder Denard Span.

Morse, a right-handed bat who hit 31 homers and knocked in 95 RBIs in 2011, would be a great fit for the Phillies, even though Morse strikes out quite a bit. But dream on Phillies fans. The odds of Barack Obama offering al-Qaeda aid are greater than Washington GM Mike Rizzo trading Morse to his bitter rival.

It’s amazing how quickly the Nats went from perennial cellar dwellers to such a talent-laden team that Morse doesn’t figure into the mix. And then there is the Phillies and their glaring need for a potent bat in left or right.

Maybe the Phillies fill that hole in July or perhaps Morse, who is attracting attention from the Yankees and Red Sox on the trade market, can call Philly home in 2014.