Article: Morneau is steadily improving

[DaveW]

Nobody turns SSS to multi-year contracts like Dave.

It's about extending him when he isn't at his "high" point. Chances are if he comes out like gangbusters next season the price goes up quite a bit.

[Monkeypaws]

Just once it would be nice to see both sides do right by the other; Morneau is a good guy, good bat, and he should stay here, but only at a price that makes sense for both sides. That price, unfortunately, would require him to probably leave millions on the table. So it goes in pro sports.

[Guest USAFChief]

I'd just like to point out that all those people who wanted him platooned were wrong. What a short-sighted waste that would have been, not given him a chance to work it out and turning a former MVP into a platoon player with minimal value, all to save a win or two for a losing team.

Concur.

 

Also a short sighted waste would have been if the Twins would have listened to those who advocate(d) giving Morneau away for nothing.

[Beatleguy]

Hold on to him and see where things are at next July. Lots of things can happen between now and then. If he returns further to form you have lots of options. He is a former MVP so he has talent.

[DPJ]

It's about extending him when he isn't at his "high" point. Chances are if he comes out like gangbusters next season the price goes up quite a bit.

Jesus titty-****ing Christ Dave...you have got to be kidding me.

[BrentMpls]

Well he sure had a good game tonight

[nokomismod]

Now that he is starting to hit for average and hit lefties, does anyone else want him to start eating red meat, put on some pounds, and start pounding homeruns?

[70charger]

No, I like Morneau and wouldn't mind keeping him around as a 1b/DH type after next year if the price is right. Parmelee is intriguing, but I'm not completely sold that he can hit enough to be a good first baseman.

The price must be right. Chances are another team will overpay for him after 2013 if he stays healthy. I don't want the Twins to be the team that overpays. But if he doesn't have a banner year next year, or spends some time on the DL for another wrist/neck-type issue, we might be able to keep him for relatively cheap.

 

Of course I doubt he displaces Chris Parmelee post-2013; the Twins will want the younger, cheaper model. But I also doubt that another club will really want him as a full-time 1B either. He'll be a platoon 1B/DH option, and I think most teams will recognize that.

[70charger]

I'd just like to point out that all those people who wanted him platooned were wrong. What a short-sighted waste that would have been, not given him a chance to work it out and turning a former MVP into a platoon player with minimal value, all to save a win or two for a losing team.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who remembers this.

 

Platooning him with Danny "DFA" Valencia? Gimme a break...

[Loosey]

I may be in the minority here but why is everyone in such a rush to dump Morneau? I think he is still has a a few pretty good seasons left in tank. Personally I think he hitting issues have been mental and it appears that things are starting to "make sense" again to him. If he does get back to the 3/4 of the old Morneau don't trade him. Use him to build your team. It's only been two seasons of losing baseball and I'm already sick of it. Anytime someone starts to play well we assume it will fix everything if the Twins trade them for a prospect. I would rather hold on to who we have if they are playing well. The Twins offense in my opinion is good enough to be a contender, and with an improving Morneau will get better. Now in the offseason if the FO can make 2-3 solid moves to improve the pitching staff I honestly think the team can start to compete in the Central. Plus, After next year, Morneau will not be getting a raise from his $14M salary when he hits free agency. He hasn't been the MVP player he was from 06-09, and he is one bumped head away from ending his career. Keep him and build the pitching staff back to respectable.

[DPJ]

I may be in the minority here but why is everyone in such a rush to dump Morneau? I think he is still has a a few pretty good seasons left in tank. Personally I think he hitting issues have been mental and it appears that things are starting to "make sense" again to him. If he does get back to the 3/4 of the old Morneau don't trade him. Use him to build your team. It's only been two seasons of losing baseball and I'm already sick of it. Anytime someone starts to play well we assume it will fix everything if the Twins trade them for a prospect. I would rather hold on to who we have if they are playing well. The Twins offense in my opinion is good enough to be a contender, and with an improving Morneau will get better. Now in the offseason if the FO can make 2-3 solid moves to improve the pitching staff I honestly think the team can start to compete in the Central. Plus, After next year, Morneau will not be getting a raise from his $14M salary when he hits free agency. He hasn't been the MVP player he was from 06-09, and he is one bumped head away from ending his career. Keep him and build the pitching staff back to respectable.

That's all nice and good, but he'll be a 33 year old first basemen with an injury history of head, neck, back and wrist problems.

 

Take away out personal feelings and lets look at Morneau for what he is.

[TheLeviathan]

That's all nice and good, but he'll be a 33 year old first basemen with an injury history of head, neck, back and wrist problems.

 

Take away out personal feelings and lets look at Morneau for what he is.

A huge future liability - no doubt. Here's the problem DPJ, it was hard to completely rule out his comeback until he at least had some regular ABs for awhile. Maybe this hotstreak ends and it was just a flash in the pan - but doesn't he look a lot like the old Morneau lately? Hard not to see it - using the whole field, driving the ball, hitting righties and lefties. Some of this simply could be rebuilding his approach after two years off.

 

The problem is, you're right that expecting this continue much into the future is a huge problem. Handing him away at his lowest value would've been a mistake we've made far too often lately. The real issue is going to be if he regains anything close to his MVP value - then do you sell high or keep around a cornerstone that is a huge liability? I know what you'd argue (not sure I'd disagree either FWIW) but now isn't the time to be selling this guy.

[DPJ]

The problem is, you're right that expecting this continue much into the future is a huge problem. Handing him away at his lowest value would've been a mistake we've made far too often lately. The real issue is going to be if he regains anything close to his MVP value - then do you sell high or keep around a cornerstone that is a huge liability? I know what you'd argue (not sure I'd disagree either FWIW) but now isn't the time to be selling this guy.

I was talking about people who are already talking about extending him beyond 2013.

 

Throw all the wrist, head, neck, AIDs, back and whatever else has gone wrong with him out the door, he's a 33 year old lumbering 1B.

[TheLeviathan]

I was talking about people who are already talking about extending him beyond 2013..

I generally thought no one took Dave seriously?

[robbie111]

First 6 games in August .458 ave .481 obp .833 slugging 1.314 OPS . If he finishes this year hitting above .285 and slugging over .500 I'd say he is officially back.

[Ultima Ratio]

Let him play out his contract year and see what happens. If you continues to improve throw a 2 year deal at him on the cheap and see if he turns it down. I don't think he does, nor do I think there's a better 1B option in the next 3 years for the Twins.

[jokin]

Let him play out his contract year and see what happens. If you continues to improve throw a 2 year deal at him on the cheap and see if he turns it down. I don't think he does, nor do I think there's a better 1B option in the next 3 years for the Twins.

Dpes that mean that the Twins move Parmelee...., or Span? Someone will have to go.

[Ultima Ratio]

Hammer moves to DH and Doumit is your backup C/bench PH bat with Mauer in RF when not catching. Revere in LF and Span in center. Trade Parmelee if need be. It's perfect.

[robbie111]

Can anyone else can find a split for what Morneaus done since the all star break compared to everyone else in baseball. That would be interesting. The thing I am liking is his walk to K ratio recently. Just found his splits .361 ave .406 obp .602 slugging ave 1.008 ops. The other thing I'd like to see is his numbers come up at Target Field. On the road this season he's hitting .301 with a .571 slugging ave and a .928 ops. At home its .250 average, slugging .395 and an ops of .711

[Brock Beauchamp]

Can anyone else can find a split for what Morneaus done since the all star break compared to everyone else in baseball. That would be interesting. The thing I am liking is his walk to K ratio recently. Just found his splits .361 ave .406 obp .602 slugging ave 1.008 ops. The other thing I'd like to see is his numbers come up at Target Field. On the road this season he's hitting .301 with a .571 slugging ave and a .928 ops. At home its .250 average, slugging .395 and an ops of .711

Morneau since break: .361/.407/.602/1.009

 

MLB average for past 30 days: .257/.322/.410/.732

[TKGuy]

I think bringing Morneau back on a 2 year deal would be a good idea. The Brewers need a 1b and CF, maybe we could pry Gallardo away from them who is under team control for three more years while the Brewers are in full rebuilding mode.