Justin Morneau Rumors

Twins Notes: Mauer, Morneau, Valencia

MLB.com's Kelly Thesier answered a few e-mails from fans in regard to what Minnesota might have up its sleeve in the offseason, and here are some of the most notable bits of news from the piece... Thesier said that though talks between the Twins and Joe Mauer about a contract extension haven't yet begun, "don't take Mauer's patience to mean that the catcher isn't interested in signing an extension." Thesier also noted a possible good omen for Minnesota fans --- Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, also represented single-franchise stars Kirby Puckett and Cal Ripken Jr. Justin Morneau should be recovered from...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Morneau, Nats, Pirates

Some links for Tuesday... Justin Morneau will miss the rest of the season because of a stress fracture in his lower back, according to ESPN.com's Jim Caple. Ian Desmond, who could figure into the Nationals' middle infield plans next year, has taken some good-natured heat from his teammates for wearing these around, writes Chico Harlan of the Washington Post. Desmond has reached base in nine of his 14 major league plate appearances, but the Nats may look for a free agent shortstop after the season. Doug Mientkiewicz tells Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Pirates have made the...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Full Count Video: Penny, Harden, Lidge

Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count Video up at FoxSports.com. Let's dive on in... The outcome of this weekend's games could determine which team the recently released Brad Penny signs with. The Giants and Marlins are the two teams pursuing him the most, but the Giants are in a better position in the NL Wildcard standings. The Yankees, Twins, and A's are also expressing interest in the righthander, but "what pitcher in his right mind would want to stay in the American League?" The A's and Padres have even "floated the idea" of signing Penny beyond the...   Continue Reading

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Twins Hope GM Deals For Help

They're a game under .500, but the AL Central title remains well within reach for the Minnesota Twins. Historically the team has been quiet at the deadline, but the Twins' biggest stars hope this year's different. Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan all say they hope GM BIll Smith can add to the team by Friday, according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Mauer feels "frustration" every time the team stands pat at the deadline, so Morneau wonders if the star catcher will want to return after 2010, when he becomes a free agent....   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Griffey, Greinke

Links for Tuesday... The weekly chat has been moved to Wednesday at 2pm CST this time. I'll be on Seth Stohs' radio show tonight around 8pm CST. From NPB Tracker: Kenshin Kawakami has switched to Dan Evans as his agent, while Koji Uehara wants a rotation spot and multiple years. Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent, Brian Goldberg, has been in contact with nine teams (six AL, three NL). The Mariners were one of the AL teams. It's been over a decade since the White Sox signed a free agent from another team for more than $20MM. Justin Morneau would like the...   Continue Reading

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Joe Nathan Agrees To Extension With Twins

2:07pm: LEN3 has details. He says it's $11.25MM per year for 2008-11. He's unsure of the amount of the 2012 option, but it has a $2MM buyout. Since Nathan was set to earn just $6MM in '07, it seems that's been overwritten or increased. 1:19pm: MLB.com reports the deal as done. It's a three-year extension with a club option for a fourth. MONDAY, 8:22am: La Velle E. Neal III says only minor details remain on Nathan's extension. They still need to figure out what to do about a no-trade clause. Buster Olney says the deal will have "significant no-trade provisions."...   Continue Reading

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Twins Lock Up Cuddyer, Morneau

UPDATE, 1-25-08 at 4:35pm: Cuddyer gets a $2.75MM signing bonus, $5MM in '08, $6.75MM in '09, and $8.5MM in '10. The Twins have a $10.5MM option for '11 with a $1MM buyout. As far as I can tell Cuddyer would've become a free agent after the '09 season. Morneau gets six years, $80MM, a Twins record both in years and dollars. I believe this buys out three years of free agency. This should generate some good PR and help brace the fans for the loss of Johan Santana. Plus, Bill Smith can say he made a solid offer to Santana...   Continue Reading

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Multiyear Contract Discussions: Teixeira, Tulowitzki, Morneau

With today's deadline for arbitration-eligible players, it only makes sense that all sorts of long-term contract discussions are going on. Even players and teams who do agree to one-year deals for '08 may find themselves with groundwork laid for bigger deals. That could be the case with Mark Teixeira. His agent, Scott Boras, had "quite a bit of dialogue" with Frank Wren about an extension prior to Tex signing for one year and $12.5MM. I recently guessed the Braves have a 10% chance of getting this done. The Rockies have had "intense, serious dialogue" with Troy Tulowitzki's agent about a..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Morneau, Jocketty, Santana

Your usual dose of random rumors and links... Justin Morneau says he has had no extension discussions with the Twins. The Reds brought Walt Jocketty aboard as a special advisor to President and CEO Bob Castellini today. For now, Wayne Krivsky's job appears safe. But jeez, with Walt in the house he has to be feeling a little pressure, doesn't he? In other news, the Reds talked with Brett Tomko's agent this week. The Tigers signed Matt Mantei for the league minimum. He can ask for his release if he's not in the bigs by May 1st. As Jon Paul..   Continue Reading

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Twins To Talk Extension With Morneau?

Just a one-liner from Charley Walters: "the Twins plan to begin talks with Justin Morneau on a multiyear contract soon." At one point in March of this year, Morneau said he and the Twins were "pretty close." Morneau is under team control through 2010, but didn't sound optimistic about extending that when asked in September. He'd love a five or six-year deal, buying out two or three years of free agency. We'll see what the Twins offer   Continue Reading

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