The Twins and one of their all-time best players, free agent designated hitter/first baseman Justin Morneau, have mutual interest in a reunion, reports Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press.
Morneau spent the first 11 years of his career in Minnesota, which selected him in the third round of the 1999 draft. As a member of the Twins from 2003-2013, Morneau slashed .278/.347/.485 with 221 home runs in 5,350 plate appearances, earned four All-Star nods and won the American League MVP in 2006. Unfortunately, Morneau’s effectiveness began fading after he suffered a concussion midway through the 2010 campaign, when he may have been on the way to another MVP. His tenure with the Twins concluded when they traded him to the Pirates in August 2013.
Morneau didn’t last in Pittsburgh beyond his late-2013 run there and has since played for the Rockies, with whom he hit .319 in 2014 and won the National League batting title, and White Sox. The 35-year-old appeared in only 49 games with the Rockies in 2015 and then endured one of the least productive campaigns of his career last season in Chicago (though he didn’t debut until June after undergoing offseason elbow surgery). All told, Morneau hit .261/.303/.429 in 218 PAs and paired a career-worst walk rate (5.5 percent) with a bloated strikeout rate (23.9 percent – well above his lifetime mark of 15.5).
While another Morneau-Minnesota go-around would make for a feel-good story, there might not be enough at-bats available to make it worthwhile, writes Berardino. The Twins already have first base/DH types in $23MM man Joe Mauer, who used to team with Morneau to terrorize opposing pitchers, as well as younger options in Byung Ho Park and Kennys Vargas. But even if Morneau doesn’t end up joining the Twins, he is aiming to sign somewhere for what would be his 15th season in the majors.
Yes please.
I would not want to die in white soxpurgetory either
Can he pitch high 70s Iam told
I’d rather The Jays DFA smock and pick up Morneau tbh
Ya even if he sucks at least there’s the Canadian connection
There’s that. And he at least has had success before. Smoak has achieved nothing other than a future hall of fame rookie hype. Probably won’t cost much either. Can’t hurt
When I look at the Twin’s roster, I think the one thing missing is a 1B/DH of questionable ability at this point.
Hahah yah the ONE thing they need ;)
Haha. I agree.
for a 1 day …then retirement? thats the best i would offer him.
I wouldn’t mind the rebuilding White Sox giving him another shot to be their primary DH versus RHP along with a backup at 1B to right-handed hitting Jose Abreu. The White Sox don’t have many candidates to fill that role and Morneau could platoon at DH with defensively challenged OF Avisail Garcia when the latter isn’t patrolling RF. He could also give Abreu an occasional breather at 1B while the Cuban slugger hits in the DH spot.
Morneau had been inactive for quite some time last playing for the Rockies in 2015 and finally debuting with the White Sox on July 15th. He was rusty returning from a prolonged absence that included back issues. He definitely needs to be in the A.L. at this stage of his career and the White Sox may provide his best opportunity for AB’s in 2017, at least until the summer deadline when they might have a chance to flip him to a contender if he proves healthy and productive.
Very well said agree 100 percent
why not trade for CJ cron. he’s expendable. what package would entice the Angels?
Cost controlled pitching.
like the twins have any
So there’s your answer, truth
Angels are allergic to pitching.
Twin should get Morneau. He has proven that he can hit better than Park or Vargas
Man, morneau and Mauer are both pretty important examples of why all sports need to take concussions seriously.
At the end of the Year outside of Abreu , Morneau might of been the Sox best hitter
Jose Abreu really tore it up in the second half after being reunited with his son in July. Justin Morneau wasn’t half bad for the White Sox considering his long layoff and some minor setbacks with his back..
That being said, Adam Eaton was the most consistent White Sox player throughout the 2017 season both offensively and defensively. Rookie SS Tim Anderson also matched or exceeded expectations with his all around game when he was promoted to the White Sox on June 1oth.
Great idea, if you’re looking to acquire warm fuzzies. Hey, I was a big fan of Morneaus even after he left the Twins. Besides putting a couple more butts in the seats (iffy) not sure if this move is prudent. But then again…. Torii and Cuddyer will be back so what the hey!!
If a bench role isn’t working out I could totally see him joining the team as an assistant of some sorts like Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer and Latroy Hawkins have recently done. I would love to see him back in the organization. Get it done Twins!