Article: Twins Trade Justin Morneau To Pirates

[strumdatjag]

Willingham is here for the rest of the season, since no deal with the Orioles could be negotiated. The Twins should go next year with Mauer at First Base, and catcher (starter and backup) should be a Spring Training Competition (Pinto, Herrman and Doumit). First Base is now open for Mauer!

[jokin]

Well, Pressley's got to be a better LF than Doumit or Herrmann, right?

 

....or Arcia, or Willingham?

[jokin]

You guys realize we'd have to go like 5-24 for that to happen, right?

 

Hey, this crew is more than capable of doing the seemingly impossible. Our recent W-L September history suggests it can be done. We usually have to wait around once a week or so for a great game like last night's turned out to be, that might very well turn out to be the last "watchable" game of the year.

[jay]

I feel like a guy hitting like Morneau has the past few months would warrant something better than an old, crappy OF.

 

Hit like what exactly the past few months? He's .230/.282/.467 since the All-Star break. His .741 OPS on the season ranks 23rd of 27 qualified first basemen.

[jokin]

Actually it's 4-25.

Not going to happen, but as much grief as Justin gets on these boards, he is all that keeps us from a loss from time to time.

 

The '100 losses' is a metaphor. You are correct, of course. It won't happen.

 

I am most pleased that Justin could go out on such a feel-good high note. That moonshot last night was vintage Morneau, and the game winner against one of baseball's very best pitchers.

[jokin]

Don't think it is a joke. Ryan must not like what he was getting out of his 5th outfielder

 

Which 5th outfielder would that be exactly?

[jokin]

When this is all the return you get, it's not worth the PR hit.

 

What PR hit? For the average fan, the season ended this weekend and they only begin paying attention again come next April.

[jokin]

Meh. I would have rather just kept him.

 

To what end?

[jay]

Presley: Perhaps, similar to the last player that came from the Pirates, he's better than his numbers?

[jokin]

Jon HeymanVerified account ‏@JonHeymanCBS deal will be Morneau for alex presley plus a player to be named OR cash. #twins #pirates

 

My money's on the Twins getting the "Cash, Homey!"

[Otto von Ballpark]

He doesn't care what you people think

 

What do you mean, "you people"?

[jay]

The best PR move the Twins can make is put a contender on the field as fast as possible. If JR believes that making this deal makes that happen faster, he'd be a fool to worry about fan reaction.

 

Please note that I do agree with the general sentiment/concept of your post, but I don't think it's relevant here. Exactly what part of this trade is going to make the Twins a contender? I think you're making a leap both there and in trying to draw correlations to the Wild. None of those moves have been along similar lines to this.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

What PR hit? For the average fan, the season ended this weekend and they only begin paying attention again come next April.

 

This is absolutely a PR hit.

 

Morneau was one of the critical pieces of the Twins success in the last decade. This has been his only organization. He wanted to sign an extension with the Twins but Terry Ryan wasn't interested. Morneau knows he's at the end and willing to take a pay cut. Morneau and Mauer were best buds. Without Morneau, there likely would not have been the championships.

 

"We believe in continuity and stability and loyalty," Ryan said. "The Pohlad family has always believed in that approach."

 

That's what Ryan said in the Pioneer Press in July.

 

Now, Ryan trades one of the greatest Twins ever for a minor league outfielder.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Happy for Morneau - go Bucks!!

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I think Presley will be the name that is of lesser significance when this is said and done. The PTBN is almost certainly on the 40-man. The Pirates will probably try to run a lot of the younger (still in minor league) pitchers through trade waivers. If the guy the Twins want clears, they'll get him. If not, it will be completed after the season.

 

Some names to remember: Andy Oliver (former Tiger and Twin draftee, lefty, 25), Brandon Cumpton (24) and Kyle McPherson (25, rising prospect before undergoing TJ and missing the season).

 

That's only a couple of the (at least) half-dozen names.

[howeda7]

What PR hit? For the average fan, the season ended this weekend and they only begin paying attention again come next April.

 

Shoot me for saying this since it usually a cesspool, but go read the comments on the Strib blog announcing the trade. I think it's indicative of 'Joe fan' reaction. To the average fan, this is more proof that the Pohlads are cheap SOB's doing a salary dump. One stating it 'cemented' his non-renewing next year. I'll grant you they could be getting the #2 prospect in the Pirates system, and you'd get the same reaction, but at least it would be worth it.

 

No they wouldn't 'gain' any PR by letting him play the season out. But they lose badly on PR making this trade, and are getting nothing of value for doing so.

[jokin]

From a purely baseball prospective, trading him for anything was right. But this wasn't Mike Pelfrey or Jamey Carroll. If all you're going to get is garbage and salary relief, it's not worth the bad PR of trading a former-MVP and the second-most popular player on the team. A case where Dave St. Peter should over-rule Terry Ryan, essentially.

 

Why would DSP cut into his year-end bonus pool?

[howeda7]

I think Presley will be the name that is of lesser significance when this is said and done. The PTBN is almost certainly on the 40-man. The Pirates will probably try to run a lot of the younger (still in minor league) pitchers through trade waivers. If the guy the Twins want clears, they'll get him. If not, it will be completed after the season.

 

Some names to remember: Andy Oliver (former Tiger and Twin draftee, lefty, 25), Brandon Cumpton (24) and Kyle McPherson (25, rising prospect before undergoing TJ and missing the season).

 

That's only a couple of the (at least) half-dozen names.

 

I suspect it's a 'PTBNL or cash' in the same sense it was for Jamey Caroll. It'll be cash.

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

Please note that I do agree with the general sentiment/concept of your post, but I don't think it's relevant here. Exactly what part of this trade is going to make the Twins a contender? I think you're making a leap both there and in trying to draw correlations to the Wild. None of those moves have been along similar lines to this.

 

The PTBNL could be a prospect that helps the team in the near future, maybe a reliever close to the majors for all we know. The money saved could be instrumental in tipping the scales in the Twins favor for a free agent next year, or enough to entice the Cuban SS Alexandar Guerrero to come to Minnesota.

 

Or the money could help the Pohlad's pay their back taxes. The point is we just don't know... and to be worried about a PR hit seems silly.

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

Shoot me for saying this since it usually a cesspool, but go read the comments on the Strib blog announcing the trade. I think it's indicative of 'Joe fan' reaction. To the average fan, this is more proof that the Pohlads are cheap SOB's doing a salary dump. One stating it 'cemented' his non-renewing next year. I'll grant you they could be getting the #2 prospect in the Pirates system, and you'd get the same reaction, but at least it would be worth it.

 

No they wouldn't 'gain' any PR by letting him play the season out. But they lose badly on PR making this trade, and are getting nothing of value for doing so.

 

the online equivalent of my favorite common man overplayed soundbyte. "I'M PULLIN MY TICKETS!"

 

that guy's decision on his tickets was made well before this move.

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

I suspect it's a 'PTBNL or cash' in the same sense it was for Jamey Caroll. It'll be cash.

 

And I suspect it's Andrew McCutchen.

[70charger]

Three things (that I imagine have already been mentioned since I'm late to this party):

 

1. No more 10 and 5 rights.

 

2. No more minimum salary based on this year's salary for a resign.

 

3. Now that it's September, we get to see some minor leaguers (cool), and if they lose more games then, hey, awesome draft pick.

 

I like it. I just hope he's only a Pirate for weeks, not for any longer than that.

[DaveW]

You guys are the worst lol, everyone is clamoring for the twins to trade morneau, they finally do and everyone hates it.

 

The fact that nobody claimed morneau in the first place shows what was his true trade value. Who knows, maybe the PTBNL will be halfway decent like before?

 

It's not like Ryan had a ton of options or anything....

[howeda7]

And I suspect it's Andrew McCutchen.

 

Sweet. Great trade then, Terry. Assuming you're wrong, it wasn't worth the PR hit for a 28-year old OF'er, whether angry ticket guy already made his mind up or not.

[jokin]

This is absolutely a PR hit.

 

Morneau was one of the critical pieces of the Twins success in the last decade. This has been his only organization. He wanted to sign an extension with the Twins but Terry Ryan wasn't interested. Morneau knows he's at the end and willing to take a pay cut. Morneau and Mauer were best buds. Without Morneau, there likely would not have been the championships.

 

"We believe in continuity and stability and loyalty," Ryan said. "The Pohlad family has always believed in that approach."

 

That's what Ryan said in the Pioneer Press in July.

 

Now, Ryan trades one of the greatest Twins ever for a minor league outfielder.

 

Can you honestly say it will negatively affect your consuming habits relative to the Twins? Everything you pointed out was accurate but way in the past, you can't run a business and hope to remain competitive solely on nostalgia. And cheer up, the door hasn't been closed, if Justin was sincere and would be willing to come back at a steep discount (The Twins, if they retained him, could only make an offer to cut his salary by 20% before he entered the FA market), TR, with a much better price tag on Justin's services relative to his production, and more optimal control of flexibility within Morneau's contract, will almost certainly accommodate him.

[DaveW]

I suspect it's a 'PTBNL or cash' in the same sense it was for Jamey Caroll. It'll be cash.

 

I suspect it's the PTBNL or cash in the same sense it was for Drew Butera....

[iastfan112]

If its Presley and cash I'm apathetic, if there's an actual prospect in this deal I'll be pretty pleased. I just don't see a place for Morneau on the next successful Twins team.

[jay]

The PTBNL could be a prospect that helps the team in the near future, maybe a reliever close to the majors for all we know. The money saved could be instrumental in tipping the scales in the Twins favor for a free agent next year, or enough to entice the Cuban SS Alexandar Guerrero to come to Minnesota.

 

Or the money could help the Pohlad's pay their back taxes. The point is we just don't know... and to be worried about a PR hit seems silly.

 

The possibility that this trade helps in some way exists. However, if the PR hit (which is pretty clear to a good portion of the fan base) results in a decrease in revenues, you could also make a point that this could negate those very gains you speak of. The point does remain that a winner will bring the fans back regardless...

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Can you honestly say it will negatively affect your consuming habits relative to the Twins?

 

Already did when I ditched out of a season ticket group this year though I have gone to one game in 2013.

 

I just think people are missing the forest for the trees. He WANTED to be a Twin and WANTED to extend with us even through all the losing. I'd love to see Justin get a ring and then come back to MN for a one year deal what about you?

 

Killebrew and a ton of guys switch team late in their career but Morneau was not at the point where he was at the very end but still wanted to play.

[Einstein]

The lineup the Twins are fielding at this point is pretty embarrassing. I wouldn't discount that 100 loss possibility just yet.