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Justin Morneau

Matt Garza For Carlos Quentin?

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Shooter!  It’s time for some new rumors courtesy of Charley Walters.  You like rumors don’t you?

  • Walters tosses out the idea of a Matt Garza for Carlos Quentin swap.  He’s the guy who was saying previously that Garza for Delmon Young wouldn’t die.  I think if Quentin demonstrated good health this could be a fair swap.  Meanwhile, Buster Olney suggests Quentin could end up an Athletic if the D’Backs look to acquire Dan Haren or Joe Blanton.  However, Nick Piecoro doesn’t see it happening.
  • No extension talks going on with Justin Morneau, and it’s arbitration time.  Hey, maybe those trade rumors had substance after all.  Nah, probably not.
  • Walters echoes Ken Rosenthal in suggesting that Joe Nathan will be traded.  He believes talks with the Brewers could be forthcoming.

Can Twins Afford Morneau?

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Twins first baseman Justin Morneau only has about three years of service time, but talk is already starting about his escalating salary.  He’s talked extension with the Twins before, but is still currently going year to year in arbitration.  He’s still under team control through 2010 though.

There was talk earlier this month that Morneau would be agreeable to a six-year deal, which would buy out three years of free agency.  There hasn’t been any indication that the Twins would go past five years though.

Listening to Morneau’s comments yesterday, he doesn’t seem optimistic.  If Morneau keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll be in line for $18-20MM per year by the time he reaches free agency.  Morneau has seen many Twins leave, with more on the way out.  It’s just a frustrating situation in Minnesota.  Hopefully Bill Smith can aggressively shop his stars for a good return before they leave, or else use the draft picks to find some power hitters.

Walters On Morneau, Santana, Nathan

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Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has some Twins rumors for us today in his Don’t Print That feature.

  • Walters says Justin Morneau would be agreeable to a six-year contract if the Twins are interested.  Walters wrote back in March that the Twins were looking to add a fifth option year to Morneau’s contract at $14MM.  Morneau thought a deal was "pretty close" at that time but of course it hasn’t happened.  By my calculations a six-year contract would buy out three years of free agency.  So it wouldn’t be anything like Joe Mauer’s 4/33 deal.
  • The Twins are expected to make a five-year offer to Johan Santana but they might have to go to six to get something done.  Santana gets a full no-trade clause for 2008 if he finishes top three in the Cy Young voting this year.  Otherwise he can choose 12 teams he can’t be traded to.
  • Walters thinks there’s no chance Joe Nathan stays with the Twins past 2008.  Nathan did have some positive talks with the Twins back in April.

Twins Notes: Morneau, Ponson

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Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has a few Twins tidbits for us this morning:

  • He says the Twins want a fifth option year on Justin Morneau’s multiyear pact in the range of $14MM.  Three days ago, Morneau said the two sides were "pretty close."  At that time, Morneau confirmed that he was never offered the 4/33 deal that Joe Mauer received.
  • Walters also writes: "It will be a shock if pitcher Sidney Ponson isn’t released by the Twins."  Back in late February, Ron Gardenhire said he viewed Ponson as being one of the team’s starters.  If his neck is OK, it would be nice to see Matt Garza win the job instead. 

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