Reusse: Extending Morneau might be better than a trade

[stringer bell]

Morneau is not "just another player". That seems to be the theme of many that are posting here. It is my theme, too, but with a totally different point. As a ten-year vet, former MVP and fixture in the middle of the lineup (when available) I don't think Morneau would "go gently into the good night" of being a platoon guy or batting somewhere else in the order. He has stated repeatedly he doesn't want to DH, so he doesn't probide any positional flexibility as Mauer transitions more and more to being a first baseman. I can imagine Morneau creating a bit of a distraction by thinking he should always be in the lineup hitting fourth. His performance this year and last is not that of a cleanup hitter.

[JB_Iowa]

Its funny, because in the past I've felt that the Twins suffered at times from not having many veterans on the team.

 

But after the last 2 1/2 years of losing, I'm beginning to think that a pretty complete overhaul may be a really good thing. I know Mauer will undoubtedly still be around and I think he sets an example with his professionalism and work ethic but I don't know that he is really the "spiritual leader" of this team.

 

In fact, I'm not sure that anybody really is (although I do think Perkins is a leader in the bullpen). I'm beginning to think that the young kids may need to find their leaders from within themselves and that may be a good thing. As much as I thought Morneau was a leader 4 or 5 years ago, I think that his time may have already passed. Just as I think Gardenhire's time has passed.

 

Time for a new culture (or at least for revisiting and revising the old one).

[diehardtwinsfan]

I would trade him for multiple mid level prospects and move forward. If you don't like what Parmalee and Cabello provide you over the rest of the year, then you can still pursue Justin as a free agent.

 

I get the reasoning behind holding onto Perkins and Correia, but holding onto Morneau and Doumit seems silly at this point. Get what you can and use those at bats to answer some roster questions over the rest of the season.

 

Unless this recent binge is capped with a couple of 3+ HR along weeks (and doubles too), I don't see the Twins getting more than 1 mid range prospect for Morneau.

[BabyJesusBuxton]

If Morneau isn't traded during the season I don't think that offering either a qualifying offer or else a team friendly 2 year deal (14-20 total value) would be a bad decision by the front office.

 

1. His role as a team leader/veteran for the next wave of prospects and his status as a fan favorite have plenty of organizational value.

2. Sure you might be able to match his offensive production and save a few million each year of his next contract but in seasons where the Twins payroll could be towards the bottom 1/3 in the league, I don't think money is really the main concern.

3. His defense is still among the best in the league at first base IMO without looking at looking into his advanced stats recently.

 

Does anyone know if he loses the 10-5 rights if he is traded at the deadline and resigns with the Twins this offseason?

[Oxtung]

I'm not yet convinced this Justin is all he's capable of.

 

Also, the idea going forward is not to have a bad team, no?

 

You aren't sure about Morneau after 1200 plate appearance since his concussion but you are ready to pass judgement on Parmelee after 500? That seems backwards.

[Kwak]

Unlike Parmelee, Morneau has proven capable of putting up .900+ OPS production at the MLB level. Maybe those days are over for good, maybe not. I personally would like to see the TWins make a serious pitch to Mike Napoli to fill 1B. He has two .900+ seasons of his own, is still relatively young, bats righthanded, pull hitter, could backup catcher, etc. and isn't as serious of a health risk. I think Parmelee will be on the team in RF again in 2014 though.

 

This is the Napoli who had his contract radically changed due to a physical problem. Also, why would he leave a 1st place team/playoff contender most every year, for a team going no place soon, that has a history of jettisoning high-priced veterans? Invest in good starting pitching--it will improve the Twins more than some 1B.

[Dman]

I love Morneau and he is my favorite Twins player because he plays hard and can be clutch, but I would rather see the Twins spend Money on pitching than any other position on this team. I hope he proves me wrong but I don't think the same Morneau will ever be back. If you can't get anything for him let him walk. We need to start over and we need to spend money on pitching.

[ThePuck]

I love Morneau and he is my favorite Twins player because he plays hard and can be clutch, but I would rather see the Twins spend Money on pitching than any other position on this team. I hope he proves me wrong but I don't think the same Morneau will ever be back. If you can't get anything for him let him walk. We need to start over and we need to spend money on pitching.

 

If we don't sign Morny, there is no guarantee that money is spent on pitching. We had money to spend this year, didn't go out and spend it on quality pitching. It's not one or the other, nor does it need to be.

[drjim]

If we don't sign Morny, there is no guarantee that money is spent on pitching. We had money to spend this year, didn't go out and spend it on quality pitching. It's not one or the other, nor does it need to be.

 

Correct. There are many valid reasons to not re-sign Morneau but concern it will hamper other signings is not one.

 

The Twins could sign Morneau and two solid starters and still have payroll go down from this year.

[Major League Ready]

Hello everyone,

 

I have been following for a few months but never posted. When I saw this thread I decided to register so that I could pose a question. The question is ... If Morneau was worthy of a 2/20 extension would he not also be worth a pretty decent prospect?

[drjim]

Hello everyone,

 

I have been following for a few months but never posted. When I saw this thread I decided to register so that I could pose a question. The question is ... If Morneau was worthy of a 2/20 extension would he not also be worth a pretty decent prospect?

 

Not necessarily. His salary is $14 mil this year and half seasons of corner bats aren't often in huge demand at the deadline. I guess it depends on what you mean by "decent".

[Willihammer]

This is the Napoli who had his contract radically changed due to a physical problem. Also, why would he leave a 1st place team/playoff contender most every year, for a team going no place soon, that has a history of jettisoning high-priced veterans? Invest in good starting pitching--it will improve the Twins more than some 1B.

I'm not arguing that the 1b production is as awful as the SP production. I would agree that, for the 3rd straight offseason, the quickest most cost-effective improvements that could be made will be to the rotation. That doesn't mean you just settle for average or below average production (or a higher probability of average to below average production) elsewhere if you can help it.

[JustinCB]

He's looking at a one year "make good" type contract at this point, and I would offer something in the 6-7MM range at most. I'd be shocked if any other team would be willing to go more than that, and the Twins shouldn't either. He still has value, but for a 32 year old 1B with a .750 OPS and injury concerns, I'd throw that money at some pitching if he wants more.

[jorgenswest]

He's looking at a one year "make good" type contract at this point, and I would offer something in the 6-7MM range at most. I'd be shocked if any other team would be willing to go more than that, and the Twins shouldn't either. He still has value, but for a 32 year old 1B with a .750 OPS and injury concerns, I'd rather throw that money at some pitching if he wants more than that.

 

So assuming he doesn't accept that deal, do you dump him for marginal prospects or do nothing and allow him to become a free agent?

[ThePuck]

He's looking at a one year "make good" type contract at this point, and I would offer something in the 6-7MM range at most. I'd be shocked if any other team would be willing to go more than that, and the Twins shouldn't either. He still has value, but for a 32 year old 1B with a .750 OPS and injury concerns, I'd throw that money at some pitching if he wants more.

 

Problem is assuming they would throw that money at pitching.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I doubt they add pitching this offseason. Assuming Correia is traded and Pelf is not resigned, they will go into the rotation with Gibson, Deduno, and Darnell for sure with Diamond, Worley, and Hendricks fighting for the last two spots. Meyer and May will be worked in as the season progresses.

 

Oh, and Morneau hit another HR today. He's doing everything he can to show he's heating up... Might fetch something of value yet...

[drjim]

I doubt they add pitching this offseason. Assuming Correia is traded and Pelf is not resigned, they will go into the rotation with Gibson, Deduno, and Darnell for sure with Diamond, Worley, and Hendricks fighting for the last two spots. Meyer and May will be worked in as the season progresses.

 

Oh, and Morneau hit another HR today. He's doing everything he can to show he's heating up... Might fetch something of value yet...

 

Darnell and Deduno for sure? And no, the Twins will not go into next season with those players mentioned as their top 6 starters.

[Kwak]

Problem is assuming they would throw that money at pitching.

 

So finish the statement! I am well aware that the Twins are very likely to not spend the $14MM on pitching if Morneau is not re-signed. However, re-signing Morneau is a huge waste--and worse--provides a cover story for not spending on pitching (or anything else!).

[jorgenswest]

A few weeks ago when Morneau had 3 home runs, it was written that while his fly ball rate hadn't changed his hr per fly ball rate was unsustainably low at 3%. It was certain to go up without a change in approach and result in double digit home runs the rest of the way.

 

He won't sustain his rate of the last week either, but it is nice to see him get the positive end of the distribution.

[robbie111]

It's nice to see him trending up as his april ops was .688 , may ops was .750 and june ops was .821. I still can't get over his home and away splits and i know it's a sss but his home split is .323 ave, .371 obp, .532 slugging and a .902 ops. If he ever gets it together on the road this season he'll be dangerous again.