The Dodgers and Red Sox are on the cusp of completing a landmark deal that has completely changed the face of two teams for the foreseeable future. The Dodgers have acquired Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto from the Red Sox for James Loney, Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa are the supposed pieces heading back to Boston
The Dodgers were in the market for a first baseman and Adrian Gonzalez is certainly one of the best options available. In order to help the deal along, the Dodgers also agreed to take the contracts of Crawford and Beckett. Combined with Gonzalez’s salary, the Dodgers are picking up nearly $275 million in total salary. The Red Sox gain financial flexibility and pick up two of the better Dodger prospect in the deal.
So, you may be asking, what does this have to do with the Twins? A lot actually.
According to multiple reports from the LA Times, ESPN 1500’s Phil Mackey and other Twins beat writers, the Dodgers only moved on this Adrian Gonzalez deal after they couldn’t get a deal approved for Justin Morneau.
Morneau, who at 31 years of age is having his best season in two years simply by being healthy, was a deadline deal target of the Dodgers, but they couldn’t work out proper compensation with the Twins.
I’m alright with the Twins sticking with their players if they feel they can’t get the appropriate compensation. However, the details of this instance show the Twins may not have been making the best long term decision.
According to multiple reports, the Dodgers were willing and able to pick up all of Morneau’s $14.5 million contract for the next season. If these reports are indeed true, I’ve got some big questions for the Twins’ front office.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU? Being the first and most important question.
I obviously don’t know the details of any discussions the Twins and Dodgers had, but I’d imagine the Twins wanted two things in return for Justin Morneau – a major league ready pitcher / prospect and the team would have to pick up all or at least a large majority of Morneau’s salary for the next season.
Given what the Dodgers just did with the Red Sox, I’m finding it hard to believe that the Twins couldn’t have gotten Rubby De La Rosa and gotten rid of Morneau’s contract responsibility all in one move. Two birds, meet one stone.
Making matters more complicated is the fact that the Twins just lost a potential suitor for Morneau during the offseason. The market for Morneau is going to be very limited. A contending team with deep pockets and a decent farm system is the target audience for Morneau’s services. Unfortunatley, you can list those teams on one hand:
That’s the list of teams with big budgets and relatively solid pitching prospects. On that list, the Dodgers, with their acquisition of Gonzalez, are obviously out. The Angels have Albert Pujols at 1B are not in need of Morneau’s services either. The Yankees have Mark Teixeira, but you never can rule them out from being involved on a big name player. The Red Sox clearly need a 1B bat and have money to spend, but they could choose to pick up a younger player at 1B and focus their money on pitching. Finally, the Rangers already have a fearsome offense and are more likely to focus any remaining free agent spending on starters.
As you can see, there’s not a big market out there for Morneau. Of course, a team such as the Giants, Athletics, Orioles or Marlins could step up and go crazy, but they’re long shot propositions hinging on happenstance and speculation.
Why Move Morneau?
Some fans may ask why the Twins would even want to trade their former MVP first baseman given that he is now finally returning to form. There are multiple good reasons the Twins could use for trading Morneau – the biggest being:
1) Chris Parmelee: You can’t ignore this kid any longer. His AAA numbers (.344/.462/.665 with 17 home runs in 59 games) show that he’s ready for the big show. The Twins problem is that they don’t have a spot to play him. With Morneau and Mauer splitting time at first base and the outfield crowded with Willingham, Revere
2) The Twins can use that $14.5 million in the offseason: The Twins have around $75 million already committed to the 2013 roster and the offseason hasn’t even begun yet. Take Morneau’s $14.5 million away from that number and you’ll find that $60.5 million looks a whole lot better. Assuming the Twins stay at or around the $100 payroll mark, that gives them nearly $40 million to rebuild a pitching staff.
3) Morneau gets a shot at the World Series: Let’s be honest, even if the Twins rebuild a starting rotation and contend for the AL Central next season, they’re probably still 2 to 3 years away from contending for any form of World Series title. By that point in time Morneau will be 35 years old and potentially at the end of his career. Trading Justin to a contender could give him a chance to win a World Series ring.
Maybe the plan is to move Morneau in the offseason if Parmelee proves reliable as an everyday starting first baseman in September. Maybe the plan is to move Morneau with the next few days – we honestly don’t know what the Twins are thinking – but we have to hope the plan is to move the veteran and clear room for the youngster Parmelee.
Until we learn more of the Twins’ offseason plans, it’s a little hard to swallow them turning down the Dodgers for Morneau.
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