Article: Twins Trade Justin Morneau To Pirates

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

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...

 

The PR is negligible at best. Most of these people are the people who were gonna equate letting Morneau walk as a free agent to Torii Hunter anyway.

 

If anything this a shrewd PR move because he's helping people get over this injustice a month faster.

[pierre75275]

This is true. Is there anybody left over .250

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The point does remain that a winner will bring the fans back regardless...

 

Absolutely. But can you really put your faith in Ryan or Gardenhire to do the right thing anymore? That's what makes this so farcical. The attitude of "we've got this under control" is an insult and anything they do will draw derision until the team starts winning again.

[MichiganTwins]

People need to give up the salary dump. It has been posted time and time again that the Polads gave TR and the FO a higher salary budget, but it was not used. The Twins have cash available they do not need to get extra cash right now. They traded Morneau because it would not be worth resigning him because of his contract rights. Now that those are gone. It may be worth trying to bring Morneau back on a contract not worth 10 million.

[CharacterGroove]

I was hoping to see the same folks that were advocating we had to trade Justin (and/or Doumit/Willingham) because 'something is better than nothing' in here defending the currently lackluster return. The salary dump comments are silly.

 

The only positive here so far is a chance to see Colabello and maybe Parmelee, but I'd have to agree with others that the PR hit isn't worth it. Perhaps Justin told the team he'd be happy to go join a playoff team and they were trying to accommodate that, but I find that unlikely.

 

I have no doubt this trade will draw the wrath of the mouth-breathing, star-tribune-commenting faction of our fan base. But I suspect they'll find other things to to bitch about this fall.

 

For the rest of us, we recognize that it's the best situation for Morneau's short and long term career, and is likely a net positive for the Twins long term (but not short) because Morneau is unlikely in the team's plans, and negotiations this winter would be burdensome (i.e. kicking the "PR move" can down the road). The former should impact the pros and cons of the latter.

[ThePuck]

I wonder if this trade will replace the trade Ryan is most proud of. That was salary dump too.

[jokin]

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.

 

I think the Strib comments section is indicative of mainly a couple dozen mostly drunken lay-abouts or chronic whiners who wouldn't have the grasp of a single fact about the Twins, even if it were plainly spelled out for them in their Alpha-Bits.

 

And the only "cement" that the "one fan" knows about is in that block he uses as a head. And those tickets he threatens to "non-renew"? Those are probably freebies made available by his boss down at the gravel pit.

[ScottyB]

[Riverbrian]

Don't trade Morneau... You get him for a month and he's gone for nothing. This way we get something. Unless the Pirates go nuts and lock him up... He'll be a free agent and the Twins can sign him. They probably won't but it will be the same option available to us... If he stayed and finished the year.

 

I'll continue to assume that Terry Ryan looked at all the offers and chose the best one. Trading for something anything is better than not trading him and getting nothing.

[ThePuck]

I have no doubt this trade will draw the wrath of the mouth-breathing, star-tribune-commenting faction of our fan base. But I suspect they'll find other things to to bitch about this fall.

 

For the rest of us, we recognize that it's the best situation for Morneau's short and long term career, and is likely a net positive for the Twins long term (but not short) because Morneau is unlikely in the team's plans, and negotiations this winter would be burdensome (i.e. kicking the "PR move" can down the road). The former should impact the pros and cons of the latter.

 

explain how this trade is likely a net positive for the Twins in the long run.

[jokin]

I wonder if this trade will become the trade Ryan is most proud of. That was salary dump too.

 

#1 nominee for today's ironic, yet brutally truthful "Unkindest Cut of All" post:s-bluecap:

[Riverbrian]

Alex Presley is nobody to hate.

 

He isn't Yasiel Puig but his OPS was over .800 in AAA this year... OPS over .800 with the Pirates in 2011. We are team that has Clete Thomas in CF.

 

Trading Justin clears 1B for Joe Mauer in September. That will clear playing time for Herrmann and Pinto. It could clear some room for Colabello as well and we still don't know who the player to be named later is.

 

Good Luck Justin... Thanks for your time with us. Maybe you'll be back... Maybe you won't... But Good Luck just the same.

[jokin]

Alex Presley is nobody to hate.

 

He isn't Yasiel Puig but his OPS was over .800 in AAA this year... OPS over .800 with the Pirates in 2011. We are team that has Clete Thomas in CF.

 

Trading Justin clears 1B for Joe Mauer in September. That will clear playing time for Herrmann and Pinto. It could clear some room for Colabello as well and we still don't know who the player to be named later is.

 

Good Luck Justin... Thanks for your time with us. Maybe you'll be back... Maybe you won't... But Good Luck just the same.

 

Then again, in the "What have you done for me lately" department, Clete Thomas had an OPS of .961 in AAA..... in 2013.....I fail to see the upgrade.

[Bark's Lounge]

Morneau's trade pretty much puts an end to having a 20HR hitter on this years team.

 

In this day and age of baseball I find this to be embarrassing and a Big Kahuna Bummer.

 

Chicks dig the long ball and so does Bark's Lounge.

 

Go Dozier... Muscle up Lil' Buddy!

[cmathewson]

I don't like the deal, but there is one thing no one is considering: Ryan traded him to the Pirates so he that he has a chance at a ring. Otherwise, the guy will help the Wings playoff chase and maybe gt a September call-up. He'll be roster filler next year.

[Alex]

What's Presley's defense like? Is he a legit CF defender? If so, it might mean that they want someone to keep a spot warm in CF for next year.

[Dman]

Given the state of the Twins they were likely going to need to sit Morneau the rest of the year to give the young guys a look anyway. So trading him to the Pirates works well for both teams. At least we get something for him. If we really feel we need him back with the club then we still have a chance to sign him next year. If we get outbid for his services next year then we will have gotten nothing for hanging onto him. This is nothing but positive for everyone no matter how you try and spin this. Even if the player(s) are crappy it is still a good deal for the twins as they get more at bats to see what the young kids have.

[ThePuck]

Given the state of the Twins they were likely going to need to sit Morneau the rest of the year to give the young guys a look anyway. So trading him to the Pirates works well for both teams. At least we get something for him. If we really feel we need him back with the club then we still have a chance to sign him next year. If we get outbid for his services next year then we will have gotten nothing for hanging onto him. This is nothing but positive for everyone no matter how you try and spin this. Even if the player(s) are crappy it is still a good deal for the twins as they get more at bats to see what the young kids have.

 

Who are the young kids who will get more looks with Morny gone?

[h2oface]

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

 

Anything over 90 is rounded off to 100!

[Guest USAFChief]

Regardless the minutiae of this trade, in a larger sense (to me anyway) it is a perfect illustration of the sad state of affairs that is the 2013 Minnesota Twins. It sickens me to see a player who was once a big part of a good team come to this, and see a once proud organization conducting itself like this, even if an argument can be made its the right move.

[Alex]

Who are the young kids who will get more looks with Morny gone?

 

You're clearly upset about this, but what did the Twins gain by keeping him a month?

 

Now they can give Colabello regular playing time at first as well as maybe Parmelee again. In addition, they got something back for him, the full picture of what isn't clear yet, but it's probably an upgrade over Clete Thomas/Wilkin Ramirez at least which means it will help next year. Beyond that, hard to know, but all they had to give up for that was about 100 AB from Morney.

 

If they want to sign Morneau in the offseason, they can, just like before.

[jokin]

What's Presley's defense like? Is he a legit CF defender? If so, it might mean that they want someone to keep a spot warm in CF for next year.

 

Let me put it to you this way: he ain't no Julio Borbon or Sam Fuld. And how many AAAA OFers should one team be carrying anyway?

[jokin]

Regardless the minutiae of this trade, in a larger sense (to me anyway) it is a perfect illustration of the sad state of affairs that is the 2013 Minnesota Twins. It sickens me to see a player who was once a big part of a good team come to this, and see a once proud organization conducting itself like this, even if an argument can be made its the right move.

 

In Twins baseball, pathos comes in varied pastiches.

[ThePuck]

You're clearly upset about this, but what did the Twins gain by keeping him a month?

 

Now they can give Colabello regular playing time at first as well as maybe Parmelee again. In addition, they got something back for him, the full picture of what isn't clear yet, but it's probably an upgrade over Clete Thomas/Wilkin Ramirez at least which means it will help next year. Beyond that, hard to know, but all they had to give up for that was about 100 AB from Morney.

 

If they want to sign Morneau in the offseason, they can, just like before.

 

Colabello isn't a young guy. He's not a prospect. As far as Parmellee goes, they've had plenty of opportunities to give him a shot, they've chosen not to. Moving Morny isn't going to change that. The OF they got is more of the same...Thomas/Ramirez. These are OF that shouldn't be in the mix, period. Getting another one does nothing for us.

 

So, I ask, which young guys get a look with Morny being traded?

[h2oface]

With the present management, I wouldn't be surprised to see Alex Presley on the mound and Ryan Pressly sent in to play outfield.

[jokin]

With the present management, I wouldn't be surprised to see Alex Presley on the mound and Ryan Pressly in sent in to play outfield.

 

And even more chances for TD poster name-mis-spellings! And think of when the Twins marketing department gets both of them in their first TV commercial together, with each sporting long sideburns, for next year's "Elvis Nite" promotion.

[Riverbrian]

Colabello isn't a young guy. He's not a prospect. As far as Parmellee goes, they've had plenty of opportunities to give him a shot, they've chosen not to. Moving Morny isn't going to change that. The OF they got is more of the same...Thomas/Ramirez. These are OF that shouldn't be in the mix, period. Getting another one does nothing for us.

 

So, I ask, which young guys get a look with Morny being traded?

 

With the foul tip concussion... Mauer to 1B now... Morneau would have blocked Mauer... And Pinto can get some time behind the plate.

 

And Yes... Colabello could use some more at bats. He's a prospect until he is released.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

So, I ask, which young guys get a look with Morny being traded?

 

Agreed - half the "prospects" on this team are pushing the wrong side of 30, Colabello included.

 

It's a small small consolation, but without Morneau the Twins (you'd think) will now move Mauer to 1B semi-permanently and develop Pinto and Herrmann behind the plate. No reason for those two NOT to catch pretty much every game the rest of the way.

[CharacterGroove]

explain how this trade is likely a net positive for the Twins in the long run.

 

Because we were not going to keep him anyway; and if we did make the investment, it's unlikely that he'd be the player we need (at that cost) from ages 33/34 and up.

[ThePuck]

With the foul tip concussion... Mauer to 1B now... Morneau would have blocked Mauer... And Pinto can get some time behind the plate.

 

And Yes... Colabello could use some more at bats. He's a prospect until he is released.

 

Pinto was already going to come up...already going to play. Colabello turns 30 this year. He's as much a prospect as Thomas is...in fact, he's just slightly older than Thomas.