Murphy: 5 Questions About The Twins

[twinsnorth49]

Because he lives here (and Vancouver and Arizona), his wife and her family are here, because the money is good and his kids are set for life... I get what you're saying, but as with any real job, there have to be 'intangible' factors. You would hope that there is more to the game than "just a business" for some of them.

 

That said, I think that if Gardy goes, Morneau won't want to stick around anyway. I think they have to see what they have in Parmelee and Arcia, and if Morneau can be healthy all year. If so, I have nothing against locking up Morneau for another 3 years at something like $20-25 million, if he'll take it. I appreciate guys that that want to stay and actually get to.

 

 

To me Morneau is definitely the kind of player that stays in Minnesota if given a reasonable offer, he has solid roots , genuinely seems to love the community and both he and his wife contribute greatly to it in a variety of ways.

 

I also think there is some merit in keeping him, he's going to surprise a lot of people this year in my estimation and it's going to make people think twice. I get it that trading him at peak value is the optimal time to do it but the offer better be at least upper tier pitching or MI prospects or I say keep him. I agree with Seth though that if Gardy goes, I'm not sure Morneau re-ups.

[Badsmerf]

4th best OPS in the freaking Eastern League and a plus defender. Yeah, that's a step beyond just "good".

 

In qualified players yes. In reality no. I think Hicks will be good, especially as a potential GG CF that posts a nice OBP and SB. He will be a good player, I have my doubts about his contact rate and power.

[edavis0308]

Because he lives here (and Vancouver and Arizona), his wife and her family are here, because the money is good and his kids are set for life... I get what you're saying, but as with any real job, there have to be 'intangible' factors. You would hope that there is more to the game than "just a business" for some of them.

 

That said, I think that if Gardy goes, Morneau won't want to stick around anyway. I think they have to see what they have in Parmelee and Arcia, and if Morneau can be healthy all year. If so, I have nothing against locking up Morneau for another 3 years at something like $20-25 million, if he'll take it. I appreciate guys that that want to stay and actually get to.

 

I cant speak or him, but I am pretty sure MWW was being sarcastic. (why would any free agents want to play for the Twins!)....

[FrodaddyG]

In qualified players yes. In reality no. I think Hicks will be good, especially as a potential GG CF that posts a nice OBP and SB. He will be a good player, I have my doubts about his contact rate and power.

We get it. You don't like Hicks. That doesn't discount the fact that THREE players who got noteworthy amount of PAs put up a better OPS in a league that isn't a hitters' paradise. All three were a minimum of two years older than him. He also was 4th in SB and led the league in walks. That is a great performance across the board for a guy who didn't turn 23 until after the end of the season.

 

To focus so much on his contact rate and power while overlooking top notch defense with a great arm and excellent plate discipline just shows that you're grasping at straws to downplay his season. Hicks isn't going to be a 30 HR guy, but he has double digit HR pop, which is more than can be said for the guys who have been manning CF for the Twins since Hunter departed. For someone who has been such a staunch Plouffe supporter, I would think you'd be more excited by a breakout season from a toolsy player. (The kind of season Plouffe never actually put up, yet you continued championing his cause throughout.)

[Nick Nelson]

In qualified players yes. In reality no.

 

Reaching here a little bit, aren't we Smerf?

[Mike Sixel]

I was being both sarcastic, and not. Sarcastic because Ryan said he could not give his money away, and I read here every day that no one wants to sign here. Not sarcastic because I think he wants to win, and there are years and years of evidence that Ryan will always play for the future, and never go out and spend money to win. If Justin has 3 or so more years left, and he wants to win, won't he follow Hunters path?

[ThePuck]

I was being both sarcastic, and not. Sarcastic because Ryan said he could not give his money away, and I read here every day that no one wants to sign here. Not sarcastic because I think he wants to win, and there are years and years of evidence that Ryan will always play for the future, and never go out and spend money to win. If Justin has 3 or so more years left, and he wants to win, won't he follow Hunters path?

 

Hunter and Santana said the Twins are always playing for the future, never going for it in the now...and if that's the case, why should they stay? Not sure if Morny feels the same way but I wouldn't be surprised if, now, he does.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Morneau is my favorite player, so seeing him leave MN hurts. I do think he should be traded at the deadline if he's producing and we are not in it. He should get something very nice for the future (I'd be gunning for an SP or a middle infielder). That said, I could still see Morneau, with his roots here, resigning in the offseason, and I think there's a good case for it. Minnesota is basically his home. Doumit is here for 2 more seasons, and there really isn't a DH in the pipeline. If the team's plan is to keep Mauer at C for the forseable future, Morneau could come back and rotate with Parmalee between DH/1B, and Doumit would shift more to a backup C in his final year.

 

If Morneau is finally healthy, a 3 year deal would be good for both of them.