The Dodgers are no longer a fit for Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, now that they've sent Nathan Eovaldi to Miami in the Hanley Ramirez deal. Rosenthal says the Twins seek a Major League ready starting pitcher for Morneau, and of course will have to work out the $19MM remaining on his contract.
Earlier today, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports named the Blue Jays and Giants as potential Morneau suitors.
The Dodgers appear to have their sights set on Shane Victorino and Ryan Dempster, ESPN's Jayson Stark wrote today.
Dave Poaps
I would think this eliminates the Jays as well since they are starved for starting pitching.
Lunchbox45
does brett cecil count?
Dave Poaps
I wouldn’t miss Brett all that much. Hopefully Morrow returns soon to fill in the rotation.
Lunchbox45
well reality is you move happ to the rotation and he’ll give you around the same performance as cecil.
not sure how attractive he is to the twins though, but a move out of the division wouldn’t definitely help
Gumby65
Thinking Dodgers will make a move that hasn’t even been rumored or discussed.
BlueSkyLA
Naw, that never happens!
Sajju Shah
that always happens. didn’t even know about manny or hanram, just happened randomly.
BlueSkyLA
Maybe it wasn’t obvious but I was being facetious. Seems like year after year that the most important trades are not telegraphed in advance. Manny Ramirez just dropped out of the sky only minutes before the deadline. Nobody saw that coming.
Gumby65
Yep as matter of fact the whole thing was reported that Bay was on way to LA in that 3-team deal.
doyers
it wasnt random there were rumors that the dodgers were in interested in both Manny and Hanley Ramierz
payaso
Have fun paying the rest of that contract twins.
JellyBeanButera
Have fun watching Loney at bat.
ThinkBlue10
So I guess I have nothing to look forward to at the deadline…..
Michael Camarena
what about Ely or Fife?
BlueSkyLA
Ely is probably past his sell-by date but Fife is marketable. Van Slyke and Sands probably have some market value.
rxbrgr
Exactly what I was thinking. Perhaps Ely, who’s actually got great peripherals (aside from HRs allowed) this year, could be packaged with Garrett Gould for Morneau and cash. The Twins could get a “major-league ready” arm and a decent prospect if they’ll foot most the bill of the first baseman LA desperately needs.
(Ely’s 2012 AAA stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=ely—002joh#standard_pitching::none)
Bob George
The Dodgers need a 1b more than an OF. Doesn’t have to be Morneau.
esasc4
Just like every year, the rich big city clubs i.e. the dodgers and rangers will try to buy them a world series ring.
Sajju Shah
right because the dodgers are always doing this. Frank McCourt loved to spend.
doyers
well this is the first time that dodgers are going after players with owed salary since they got new owners trying to build a team to contend for a world series
Joe
I don’t see any starting pitching that the Giants would be willing to give up for Morneau, unless Twins want to swap contracts for Zito…Pretty big dropoff after the starting 5 & with Surkamp undergoing Tommy John.
dodgerskingsfan
don’t they have stephen fife? why not trade him for morneau?
Aaron Manill
Fife isn’t considered MLB ready he’s been starting because the Dodgers have two starters on the 60 day DL
User 4245925809
Reminds me.. *who* was that Robinson guy most of the LAD fans were screaming about here losing last year when I was telling everyone they would come out big winners in getting both Fife and Fed-X 😉
fed-X has done pretty well in AAA, started in the AAA AS game (against his one time team mate Ryan Lavarnway) and would be in the MLB now, had the Dodgers not found lightning in a career MiLB guy.
nwh2787
I think the Dodgers will randomly pick up Hunter Pence
Todd Smith
Morneau could be an interesting pickup for the Pirates – especially if they can find another outfielder, like a Choo. A lineup of Choo, Walker, McCutchen, Morneau, Jones, Alvarez, Barajas, Barmes could work out well, plus they would have both Choo and Morneau back next year.
rxbrgr
Bless you! It sounded like you sneezed.
Sky14
Morneau is an excellent change of scenery type player. His power numbers are being suppressed by target field with his home/away slugging% differing by 100 points.
JellyBeanButera
Perhaps, but ti also doesn’t chage the fact he has been horrible against lefies this year. And I doubt a change of scenery will help there.
Rob Stokes
Not since June 17th. Morneau has hit .324 against lefties (11 for 34) had a 17 game hitting streak and is batting close to .320 in his last 25 games.
MadmanTX 2
Don’t understand why Rangers aren’t interested. Moreland isn’t the answer at 1B. MY should DH.
NerdSurfer
Please not Dempster. The Law of Averages when combined with his current age equals a horrible stretch run.
MauerPower
Morneau’s been hitting better lately, so hopefully we’ll find a team like the Pirates or Rangers that is willing to give us M. Perez or Locke. Morneau and $10MM to TEX for Perez and a PTBNL?
Rob Lucci
Just throwing this out there but how about the Dodgers try and get Ryan Howard….just saying.
JellyBeanButera
That contract is just too horrible. Yeah I know the Dodgers can afford it because of the new tv deal, but it still doesn’t mean you should go get Howard and his $25 Million a year contract.
Rob Stokes
Morneau may have turned a corner. After hitting a pathetic .091 against Lefties, he’s hitting .324 against them since (11 for 34). He’s also had a 17 game hitting streak and is hitting close to .320 for his last 25 games. He’s a huge risk/reward player that could make a big difference to any team in the running.
Christopher Loesch
AND he’s had no concussion issues all season, thats significant. Before that injury he was HR champ, MVP, etc. Guy is a stud. I hope we don’t trade him.