The Minnesota Twins are really starting from the bottom up. Ben Revere and Denard Span were traded this offseason and it looks as though Justin Morneau is the next one on the to-go list.
Twins' General Manager Terry Ryan has expressed interests in bolstering their pitching in the minors and possibly adding talent at third base. Coincidentally, Morneau has one season left in his contract.
Morneau received a fat paycheck back when it was 2008 and he was healthy. He was starting a six-year, $80 million contract after being named the A.L. MVP in 2006.
As of late, Morneau has been trying to recover from a concussion that left him inactive for most of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, which might cause teams to stay away from the first baseman. In those two seasons, he played a total of 150 games, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 86 runs, but there wasn't much Morneau could do.
Last season, he raised his value just a bit playing in 134 games batting .267 with 19 home runs and 77 RBI.
Morneau is owed $14 million in 2013 and could possibly return back healthier. Immediate teams that come to mind who could use a first baseman or designated hitter with pitching prospects are the Tampa Bay Rays.
They signed James Loney to handle first base, but they could use a DH with some pop. Morneau would have to remain in the American League since he can spend time DH'ing. The Atlanta Braves have pitching prospects, but they have a first baseman in Freddie Freeman who will likely not be going anywhere any time soon.
The New York Yankees were trade candidates for anybody back in the days, but those days are distant memories now. They can't get an everyday first baseman because they are locked with Mark Teixeira and they need the DH hole open to give all their old guys a day of rest.
It will be interesting to see who shops for Morneau, who is only 31 and can still produce at the major league level despite suffering a bad concussion.
