Trade: Joe Mauer +30 million for Justin Morneau

[Blackjack]

 

I never found Morneau to have an "arrogant attitude". He was one of the most gracious Twins and would sign autographs before games, after games, and was always available to the fans, and much more so than most of the players, if not the most. And if one is going to question his ego disparagingly, which I am not, can't the same question can be asked about Mauer? Isn't Mauer just as susceptible to get another concussion as Morneau, no matter where he plays? He still has to dive for balls, risk being hit by a pitch during every at bat, and slide into bases where a knee can hit him in the head, etc. From a business standpoint, I wonder what would happen if management asked Mauer to catch again, and he refuses. Is there something in his contract that says he can refuse and still be paid? Haven't doctors giving him a clean bill of health? Would that request be the considered inhumane? If he would then refuse, he could have the option to retire, no? It would surely be a hot topic and have a lot of fallout, but if one is paying someone 23 million dollars a year and he won't do something he is asked to do, would that void his contract? One could argue that every player on the field is risking suffering a career ending concussion at anytime, even if they have never had a single one. Hit by a pitch, hit by a batted ball, a knee to the head sliding into a base, running into a wall attempting a catch.... it is a risk that one takes when they get to play baseball for a living in exchange for taking home millions (or minimum salary and even meager minor league salaries), and most make that choice pretty easily. It takes large ego to be an artist, actor, baseball player, comedian, businessman, president, surgeon, teacher, musician and the list goes on and on......... and most of the best at what they do have it and the accompanying confidence to be fearless, and I am thankful for that.

I heard enough of Morneau's interviews with Sid where he was very curt and rude, almost like someone had gotten him out of bed to where my attitude toward Morneau was good riddance when he left.

[DaveW]

Sid is a buffoon, someone being curt to him is a positive in my mind.

[USAFChief]

Sid is a buffoon, someone being curt to him is a positive in my mind.

We should all be curt to 90-something year olds.

[Mike Sixel]

so many condescending answers, seems rude to me.

 

I would do what I could to free up myself from the Mauer deal. If I had to pay nearly 100% of his deal to deal him, I'd consider it. There is a chance he could return to being effective relative to other 1B, but it seems unlikely at this point......and with Kepler in the wings, I'd take my chances.

 

That said, I would do this deal. Not to get Morneau, but to free up 1B.

[Halsey Hall]

 

I heard enough of Morneau's interviews with Sid where he was very curt and rude, almost like someone had gotten him out of bed to where my attitude toward Morneau was good riddance when he left.

But you've never talked with him yourself. I could tell you story after story of times he's gone way out of his way to do things for people, including myself, that really shouldn't be posted on the net. I'd bet not many TD'ers would go above and beyond as he has, and he's done it with a smile on his face.  He cares.  He's just a good guy.  

[Mike Sixel]

Morneau is one of my favorite people, that I only know from a distance. Very community involved. Open to the public.

[LimestoneBaggy]

I'd actually sign Morneau and Cuddy, if available.....for the right price....on a minor league deal....if they'd accept assignment.

 

Reunions can be fun and profitable.....if you know how to manage them. If someone gets hurt, and they catch fire....all the more fun.

[Blackjack]

 

But you've never talked with him yourself. I could tell you story after story of times he's gone way out of his way to do things for people, including myself, that really shouldn't be posted on the net. I'd bet not many TD'ers would go above and beyond as he has, and he's done it with a smile on his face.  He cares.  He's just a good guy.  

Nope, never talked to him, maybe you've had the luck to talk to him after he's had his morning coffee but from what I heard he was just rude. Enjoy Colorado but don't come back here please. 

[Blackjack]

 

 

so many condescending answers, seems rude to me.

I would do what I could to free up myself from the Mauer deal. If I had to pay nearly 100% of his deal to deal him, I'd consider it. There is a chance he could return to being effective relative to other 1B, but it seems unlikely at this point......and with Kepler in the wings, I'd take my chances.

That said, I would do this deal. Not to get Morneau, but to free up 1B.

I like your idea Mike about freeing up 1st base but I don't see it happening, it not the 'Minnesota way'. 
If he keeps hitting even average, with a few clutch hits, they'll keep playing him. The only way that they'll see the end of Joe before the end of his contract is for his hitting to fall below .200, start benching him more and more, and then maybe Joe would just retire. Not likely though.

[Mike Sixel]

I agree, this won't happen. They won't be trading him.

[nicksaviking]

Nope, never talked to him, maybe you've had the luck to talk to him after he's had his morning coffee but from what I heard he was just rude. Enjoy Colorado but don't come back here please.

 

Rude or not, what does that have to do with signing or trading for a guy? You cut the talent options considerably if only gentleman and philanthropists are welcome.

[Blackjack]

 

Rude or not, what does that have to do with signing or trading for a guy? You cut the talent options considerably if only gentleman and philanthropists are welcome.

Morneau's rudeness was just a side comment, in my original post on this topic i wondered why you'd want to sign another 1st basement when you already have a logjam at the position??  Do you suppose Mauer will sit on the bench to make room for his buddy Morneau?? Yeah right.

[Mike Frasier Law]

Maybe the question could be rephrased: Who will have the better 2016/rest of career (ignoring contracts): Morneau or Mauer?

 

I think that's an interesting question.

 

Morneau is 2 years older, but he certainly performed better in 2015 than Mauer. But 2014 and 2015 were the only years Morneau has performed better than Mauer.

 

I'd rather have Mauer. I think a Mauer bounce back is more likely than Morneau staving off age and regression.

[Shaitan]

Morneau is basically a backup these days because his body can't handle. Maybe he can survive an Eric Chavez-style second life but I think his days as a full-timer are over.

[DaveW]

 

As for the brain studies let me know when they study the brain of an athlete who died of natural causes then I'll care. 

How about the 75+ they just studied of NFL players who died? Many of natural causes.

 

To imply that someone would lie about a concussion is absurd.

[DaveW]

 

We should all be curt to 90-something year olds.

It has nothing to do with his age, Sid has been a buffoon for 30+ years. Sorry, he doesn't get a pass from me because of his age, he is the one choosing to continue to work, thus he gets the praise or criticism as someone half or a third of his age would get.

 

 

[mikecgrimes]

 

 

 

To imply that someone would lie about a concussion is absurd.

 

Derek Boogaard did.

[gil4]

 

LaTroy would look great in the bullpen. And, hey, Scott Baker is looking for a job!

Finally someone making sense around here.   

[glunn]

At a game in Anaheim two or three years ago I watched Morneau give autographs to young Twins fans for about 15 minutes.  He was friendly and focused on singing as many items as possible.  No other Twins player gave autographs that night.

[DaveW]

 

Derek Boogaard did.

He lied and said that he had a concussion when he never did? I must have missed that somewhere.

And if he did lie about having one when he did not, was it perhaps because he was looking for more drugs as he was tragically and clearly a drug addict?

[DaveW]

 

 

At a game in Anaheim two or three years ago I watched Morneau give autographs to young Twins fans for about 15 minutes.  He was friendly and focused on singing as many items as possible.  No other Twins player gave autographs that night.

I know a couple folks that did and currently work for the Twins org, I never heard a bad thing about Morneau and heard he was a nice guy all around.

[mikecgrimes]

 

He lied and said that he had a concussion when he never did? I must have missed that somewhere.

And if he did lie about having one when he did not, was it perhaps because he was looking for more drugs as he was tragically and clearly a drug addict?

 

Well the documented case of lying about concussions was during his failed drug rehab stint.  People lie to get out of commitments all the time.  look at Derrick Rose.  Look at some of the people you or people you know work with.  The only incentive once a big contract is signed is future contracts which suddenly aren't all that life altering and pride.  The only reason you see so much pride among pro athletes is because it took a lot of it to get where they are.  By the way a lot of pro athletes are drug addicts.