• Justin Morneau Reminds Twins Fans That He's Still Here

    by
    John Bonnes
    Published on 09-09-2012 09:47 PM
    58 Comments Comments
    For the Twins, this month is supposed to be about the rookies – giving them chances, evaluating them, taking the losses that inevitably result.

    Morneau's heroics won Sunday's game.Someone forgot to tell the veterans.

    The M&M boys, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, gave the youngsters a demo Sunday on what September baseball can be. In their heyday, Mauer nearly hitting for the cycle and Morneau’s multi-home run game would’ve given each a chit towards an(other) MVP award. This year, it meant a satisfying 8-7 win over Cleveland in a beautiful, if half-filled, ballpark.

    The fans at the game deserved everything they got. Not only did they abstain from the Vikings home opener across town, but they stuck around for 3 hours and 30 minutes to watch the ninth-inning, two-out blast by Morneau. And while the weather was gorgeous, there were aspects of the game that were far from it.

    By now, we should all recognize a sentence like that last one is going to lead to talk of the Twins starting rotation. And it is. Today’s punching bag was Esmerling Vasquez, making his second start since being recalled from Rochester. He lasted only three innings, throwing 68 pitches and giving up five walks before his manager seemingly grew tired of him. Esmerling has now walked 8 in 8.2 IP which matches his reputation before he seemingly found some control in AAA late this year. Whatever he had previously found sure seems lost now. So does he.

    But the top of the order looked locked in. Trailing 4-0 entering the bottom of the third, Jamey Carroll singled, and Mauer followed with a triple before Justin Morneau hit his first home run. In the fourth inning, the Twins used their speed, stealing three bases en route to taking a 5-4 lead.

    The Indians responded in the top of the fifth, taking a 6-5 lead, but the Twins rallied again in the bottom of the seventh. Mauer doubled driving Carroll to third base. Morneau was wisely walked, which loaded the bases. Ryan Doumit struck out for the second out, but left-handed hitting Chris Parmelee’s ground ball found it’s way through the right side of the infield, plating two and giving the Twins a 7-6 lead.

    However, again the Indians responded. Twins reliever Jared Burton hit Brent Lillibridge with a pitch and then watched him round the bases two pitches later on a triple by Jason McDonald. With the help of Brian Duensing, the Twins escaped the inning without giving up the lead run, which led to Morneau’s ninth inning heroics.

    Morneau’s health struggles, which have defined his last two seasons (and last two offseasons) seem to be behind him for now. Since the All-Star break, he is hitting .321 with a .369 on-base percentage and .512 slugging percentage. That’s an 881 OPS, which exceeds his career mark and falls squarely in the production levels he posted from 2006 through 2010. Welcome back, big guy.

    The Twins are using September to look ahead to 2013. Morneau’s game today should remind them – and the fans – that he can still be part of that future. He certainly showed he's part of the present.
    This article was originally published in blog: Morneau Reminds Twins Fans That He's Still Here started by John Bonnes
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    Comments 58 Comments
    1. mike wants wins's Avatar
      mike wants wins - 09-10-2012, 02:52 PM
      Fans show up for winners. They will not show up for crappy teams just because morneau is there.
    1. Oxtung's Avatar
      Oxtung - 09-10-2012, 03:43 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by mike wants wins View Post
      Fans show up for winners. They will not show up for crappy teams just because morneau is there.
      I agree that winning has the largest effect on attendance however, star players certainly do help drive attendance up whether a team is at the bottom or the top of the rollercoaster ride that is sports.
    1. Thegrin's Avatar
      Thegrin - 09-10-2012, 04:07 PM
      Player G AB R H 2B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG▼ OBP SLG OPS

      Morneau, J 51 192 28 61 12 8 35 17 33 0 0 . 318 .369 . 516 . 884
      This is Morneau since the All Star game.
      x3 = 153 games played . 24 HR, 105 RBI, 36 2b, .318 Avg,
      How much is that worth ? Trade him ? You can't get enough to make a trade worthwhile.
    1. diehardtwinsfan's Avatar
      diehardtwinsfan - 09-10-2012, 06:27 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Twins Twerp View Post
      TRADE HIM. Do it while he's hot so we can maximize his value. Get pitching and never look back.
      I doubt he gets much this offseason. I'd expect his value to be at its peak come July... He's cheaper, and I woudln't be shocked in the least if he had an OPS north of .900 to go with it.
    1. twinzgrl's Avatar
      twinzgrl - 09-10-2012, 07:42 PM
      Morneau is one of the most popular players on the Twins team. It is remarkable that he has come back from all the injuries to produce again and be an exciting player. Good for him. I thought he was done... I will be okay with a trade ONLY if we can get a quality pitcher for him. If he has to go, I hope he gets traded to a winning team AND wins another MVP award. That's how much I like him.
    1. Riverbrian's Avatar
      Riverbrian - 09-10-2012, 08:25 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by twinzgrl View Post
      Morneau is one of the most popular players on the Twins team. It is remarkable that he has come back from all the injuries to produce again and be an exciting player. Good for him. I thought he was done... I will be okay with a trade ONLY if we can get a quality pitcher for him. If he has to go, I hope he gets traded to a winning team AND wins another MVP award. That's how much I like him.
      I'm with ya. I remember when Justin was in the minors. Meintkewicz was the guy in front of him and I was just waiting for Morneau. Morneau became bigger and bigger in my eyes just because he was still in the minors when his power was needed at the Dome. Waiting for his arrival made me a huge Morneau Fan because you can't support something like that and not be a fan.

      Been a fan since day one.

      Now I'm at the point where I want that pitching as bad as I wanted Morneau to be called up.
    1. chopper0080's Avatar
      chopper0080 - 09-10-2012, 10:06 PM
      If I am the Twins, I try and extend Morneau to a more manageable salary for about three more years. He is showing the hint of coming back to being a productive middle of the order bat, he can still play good defense, and his value is at an all time low. Morneau will not fetch the starting pitching we need so trading him is not an option in my opinion. He is more valuable to the Twins as a buy low, power bat especially if we can sign him to the final extension of his career. Worse case, we have a moderate investment into a solid C/DH/1B platoon between Morneau, Mauer, Parmalee, and Doumit with Parmalee getting into the outfield rotation as needed. This frees up to possibility of trading Span, Revere or Willingham for much needed pitching help, all whom I think would bring a greater return.
    1. DPJ's Avatar
      DPJ - 09-11-2012, 11:35 AM
      I'm just counting down the days till he's gone...14 million can be spent better places then a dizzy 1B.
    1. 70charger's Avatar
      70charger - 09-11-2012, 04:02 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by DPJ View Post
      I'm just counting down the days till he's gone...14 million can be spent better places then a dizzy 1B.
      Who has an OPS+ of 122; identical to his 2007 season. Of course, that includes his stretch of futility prior to the All-Star break.

      You're bad at this.
    1. OldManWinter's Avatar
      OldManWinter - 09-11-2012, 06:37 PM
      I hope DPJ can count really high because I have enjoyed Morneau's contributions and hope he continues.
    1. twinsnorth49's Avatar
      twinsnorth49 - 09-11-2012, 07:08 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by OldManWinter View Post
      I hope DPJ can count really high because I have enjoyed Morneau's contributions and hope he continues.
      I have my doubts that he can count very high, sorry.
    1. kab21's Avatar
      kab21 - 09-11-2012, 10:34 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by 70charger View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by DPJ View Post
      I'm just counting down the days till he's gone...14 million can be spent better places then a dizzy 1B.
      Who has an OPS+ of 122; identical to his 2007 season. Of course, that includes his stretch of futility prior to the All-Star break.

      You're bad at this.
      DPJ pretty much hates everyone on the team that is halfway decent but gets paid well. For years he railed against Cuddyer and Baker and now it's Morneau. Sure they make a little too much but not everyone is going to be elite or making the MLB min.

      He also hates perkins and Plouffe. His track record is spotty at best.
    1. DPJ's Avatar
      DPJ - 09-12-2012, 07:53 AM
      I would have let the Dodgers have him for nothing if they really wanted him. Let Parmelee play 1B and use the funds to get some arms.

      I was hoping someone was gonna hit him good in the head and make him dizzy again after that walkoff.
    1. snepp's Avatar
      snepp - 09-12-2012, 08:09 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by DPJ View Post
      Let Parmelee play 1B and use the funds to get some arms.
      The funds should be there to get some arms regardless. Signing them is another matter. It's hard enough to get one decent free agent starter, you can't assume that dumping Morneau means you get more.
    1. JB_Iowa's Avatar
      JB_Iowa - 09-12-2012, 08:10 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by DPJ View Post
      I was hoping someone was gonna hit him good in the head and make him dizzy again after that walkoff.
      That crosses the line. You can dislike him. You can dislike how much he is paid. You can hope that he is traded. You can have doubts that he will stay healthy. But to hope that a player -- whether for your team or another -- is injured is pretty sick.
    1. DPJ's Avatar
      DPJ - 09-12-2012, 08:13 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by snepp View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by DPJ View Post
      Let Parmelee play 1B and use the funds to get some arms.
      The funds should be there to get some arms regardless. Signing them is another matter. It's hard enough to get one decent free agent starter, you can't assume that dumping Morneau means you get more.
      True, but it gives the Twins the funds and ability to overpay (which they might have to) to get those arms. NTM Parmelee isn't an OF, he should be at 1B.
    1. JB_Iowa's Avatar
      JB_Iowa - 09-12-2012, 08:16 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by snepp View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by DPJ View Post
      Let Parmelee play 1B and use the funds to get some arms.
      The funds should be there to get some arms regardless. Signing them is another matter. It's hard enough to get one decent free agent starter, you can't assume that dumping Morneau means you get more.
      Having the will to sign them is another. We'll see how much "Will" Terry Ryan has this off-season.

      For now, I'm not getting my hopes up. He has said that he doesn't think free agency is the way to acquire starting pitching -- if he spends more than $12-$15 million, I'll be surprised. Look for a Pavano-type (not Pavano but an innings eater) and someone like Baker (cheap plus incentives).
    1. snepp's Avatar
      snepp - 09-12-2012, 08:16 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by DPJ View Post
      True, but it gives the Twins the funds and ability to overpay (which they might have to) to get those arms. NTM Parmelee isn't an OF, he should be at 1B.
      If it comes down to something like that, I would hope they bring the pitcher (or pitchers) in first, then look to deal Morneau away later if they insist on trimming payroll. You don't want to deal Morneau early, then find you don't have any decent players to spend his money on.
    1. snepp's Avatar
      snepp - 09-12-2012, 08:20 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by JB_Iowa View Post
      Having the will to sign them is another.
      That certainly plays a part as well.
    1. DPJ's Avatar
      DPJ - 09-12-2012, 08:24 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by snepp View Post
      If it comes down to something like that, I would hope they bring the pitcher (or pitchers) in first, then look to deal Morneau away later if they insist on trimming payroll. You don't want to deal Morneau early, then find you don't have any decent players to spend his money on.
      You don't wanna sign these arms and then teams know you're up against the wall when trying to move Morneau or Willingham. You never want to give a team an edge in that sense.
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